E-cigarettes: A new hazard for children and adolescents

Objectives Electronic cigarettes and fluid (e-cigarettes, e-fluid) are hazardous materials that when inhaled or ingested may pose significant health risks to children and adolescents. The objective of this work was to explore the spectrum of injury related to e-cigarette exposure among Canadian children and adolescents. Methods A one-time survey was sent to all paediatricians in Canada. Information was collected on children and adolescents who presented with e-cigarette exposure (inhalation and ingestion cases) in the previous 12 months. Questions included the number of injuries and symptoms, in addition to age, sex, treatment setting, intentional e-cigarette use and how the products were accessed. Results A total of 520 surveys were completed and returned, identifying 220 cases. Symptoms related to inhalation were present in 135 cases (43 unintentional, 92 intentional) and in 85 ingestion cases (35 unintentional, 50 intentional). For inhalation cases, most were male, aged 15 to 19 years, who sought treatment for nausea/vomiting, cough, throat irritation or acute nicotine toxicity in an outpatient clinic/office. Most inhalation cases reported e-cigarette use 2 to 3 days/week, and e-cigarettes purchases from a mall kiosk/store. For ingestion cases, most were male, aged 1 to 4 years presenting to an emergency department with nausea/vomiting, cough or respiratory irritation. Younger cases accessed e-fluid at home, older cases purchased in a mall kiosk/store. E-fluid flavours reported consumed were fruit, candy, and tobacco. Conclusions E-cigarettes, recently introduced into the North American market are hazardous to children and adolescents. Further investigation into the risks that e-cigarettes pose and ways to reduce exposure is needed to minimize injury.