E-cigarette poisoning increasing in Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY — The e-cigarette has been branded as an alternative to regular cigarettes, but the products have also caused problems for children in the Beehive State.

Utah’s Poison Control Center says 47 kids under the age of 6 had liquid nicotine poisoning in 2013 and they have already had 21 cases this year.

Poison Control Center spokeswoman Marty Malheiro wondered if the number of poisonings will subside anytime soon.

“This is such a new product and there is such great marketing behind it, I think it could be some time before (the number of poisonings) level off,” Malheiro said.

She said it would help if adults treat liquid nicotine like a drug and keep it out of the hands of young children.

“Kids' natural curiosity is to explore and put everything in their mouth,” she said.

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Malheiro said the number of e-cigarette poisonings has also increased for adults. Nineteen people last year called Poison Control Center operators last year. She said the cases are smaller because adults can handle nicotine a lot better. But the smokers who have had problems usually puff a bit too much.

“There have been some stories about people using e-cigarettes and cigarettes,” said Malheiro.

She said the double dose of nicotine can cause heart arrhythmia. Malheiro said it’s important for the public to know that not a lot is known about the product and that e-cigarettes need more study. But she also said that nicotine is a poison and should be kept out of the hands of children.

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Cleon Wall

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