A new study in the Pediatrics journal says the white packets that adults put between their lip and gum are causing a sharp spike in nicotine poisonings among small children. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital examined 134,310 calls to US poison centres involving youngsters under six between 2010 and 2023. Overall exposures from most nicotine products dipped after 2016, but incidents linked to pouches soared by about 760 % from 2020 to 2023. “It’s a high-concentration nicotine product and it tastes good,” said study co-author Dr. Natalie Rine, who also heads the Central Ohio Poison Centre. “There’s nothing telling the kid, ‘this is bad, you should spit it out’ … and that’s where you get into trouble.”.Nicotine pouches, first sold in the US in 2014, contain three to 12 milligrams of either plant-based or synthetic nicotine, plus sweeteners and flavourings. Even the weakest pouch packs more of the stimulant than a standard cigarette, and ingesting just one to two milligrams can trigger vomiting, tremors, or worse in a toddler, according to MedlinePlus. The study found pouch exposures carried a 150% higher risk of serious medical effects and were twice as likely to lead to hospital stays as incidents involving other smokeless products such as gums, lozenges, or e-liquids. While most youngsters recovered quickly, 1,617 suffered major outcomes, and two children died after swallowing liquid nicotine. US Census Bureau data showed only about 0.5% of Americans overall use nicotine pouches, compared with 9% who smoke and 3% who vape. .Pouches discreet packaging and candy like flavours have drawn scrutiny from regulators, though Health Canada still classifies four milligram versions as an over the counter smoking cessation aid, with Zonnic being the only legal nicotine pouch brand to be sold in Canada.Zonnic only comes in flavourless and mint.Experts worry that normalizing pouch use in homes where curious children can spot and sample the tins. Rine urges caregivers to store all nicotine products high and locked, and to avoid using pouches in front of kids who might mimic adult behaviour. She also recommends warning babysitters, grandparents, and other visitors to keep the tins out of sight. Rine said these poisoning cases are “entirely avoidable” if stored properly.
