(NewsNation) — Poison control centers are sounding the alarm on nicotine pouches as the number of young children accidentally ingesting them rises.
According to a study published in the medical journal Pediatrics, the number of nicotine-related incidents involving children under the age of six rose by more than 760% between 2020 and 2023. Nearly all cases happened at home.
While cases included chewing tobacco, vapes and nicotine replacements like gum and lozenges, authors of the study pointed to the rising popularity of nicotine pouches like Zyn as one of the factors in accidental nicotine poisonings, which come flavored.
In a statement, Zyn said its packaging is made to be child-resistant.
The levels of nicotine in pouches can vary from 1.5 to 12 milligrams per pouch, which can be dangerous to children. Some minor symptoms of nicotine poisoning include nausea and vomiting, but as the dose increases, more serious side effects include high blood pressure and a fast heart rate, which can lead to seizures and respiratory failure.
About 76% of nicotine poisoning cases involved babies and toddlers under the age of 2. Two one-year-old boys died after ingesting liquid nicotine.
To keep children safe, the study authors recommend not using nicotine pouches in front of children so they don’t imitate the behavior, and keeping them out of reach. If they ingest a nicotine pouch, the best thing to do is call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.