The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015 earlier this month, legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) that requires child safety packaging for liquid nicotine.
Liquid nicotine is used in e-cigarettes, which are growing in popularity. It comes in many flavors and colors that are appealing to younger children. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control said calls to poison centers related to child nicotine poisoning occurred 214 times per month in 2014, which was up from one per month just four years before.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers said that more than half of reported exposures to liquid nicotine have occurred in young children under the age of 6.
Currently, there is no packaging requirements for liquid nicotine, which can be swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
“This legislation will ensure proper protections are in place to prevent unnecessary medical emergencies and deaths, which are on the rise across the country,” Brooks said. “There have already been 67 cases of e-cigarette exposure in Indiana alone this year. This legislation is a timely solution to this growing problem.”