Smokeless Tobacco May Increase Risk of Child Poisoning

Unintentional ingestion of tobacco products is a major reason for infant and child poisonings, particularly in children younger than 6 years old. New smokeless tobacco products that resemble candy increase the concern. The study, “Unintentional Child Poisonings Through Ingestion of Conventional and Novel Tobacco Products,” published in the May issue of Pediatrics (published online April 19), examined information on childhood poisonings from 61 poison control centers. There were 13,705 reports of children ingesting tobacco products. The No. 1 source of ingestion remained cigarettes; however, smokeless tobacco products are increasingly becoming a source of childhood tobacco ingestion. Among older children, these new products may increase the risk of ingestion, especially of novel, dissolvable, compressed tobacco products that come in small pellets. These flavored products and their packaging resemble candy, such as mints. Study authors warn that the increased availability of these new dissolvable tobacco products may lead to an increased risk of unintentional poisonings in children. Authors suggest that authorities determine the appropriate regulatory approach to protect children’s health.

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