Ingestion of cigarettes among children has toxic effects

In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, March 20 to 26, Healthy Waldo County is alerting the public that cigarettes and cigarette butts may poison children who ingest them.

In 2007, the American Association of Poison Control Centers received more than 7,735 reports of potentially toxic exposures to tobacco products among children younger than six years of age in the United States. Most cases of nicotine poisoning among children result from their ingestion of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

The Northern New England Poison Center received reports of 140 Maine children ingesting cigarettes or cigarette butts in past two years. Most ingestions happen in homes where children are exposed to secondhand smoke and where cigarettes and ashtrays are kept within the reach of children.

“Adults who smoke in the home may not be aware of the danger of cigarettes and cigarette butts to children,” said Andrea Walker, Healthy Waldo County chairperson.

“Children aged 6 to 24 months old are actively exploring their environment and often put things into their mouths. It is very important that parents and caregivers always store tobacco products out of the reach of children always and that they do not smoke around children because of the health hazards of inhaling secondhand smoke”, said Barbara Crowley, program specialist with Healthy Waldo County.

While minor toxic clinical effects may occur, such as vomiting, nausea, lethargy, gagging, and a pale or flushed appearance, there have also been reports of severe toxicity among children who ingested cigarettes, cigarette butts, or snuff, including depressed respiration, cardiac arrhythmia, and convulsions. If ingestion does occur, a poison-control center should be consulted to assess the risks for serious toxicity and determine treatment.

In addition to preventing nicotine poisonings, avoiding the use of tobacco products in the presence of children should:

· decrease the risk for lower respiratory and middle ear infections in children;

· reduce the risk that children will smoke in the future; and

· decrease children's access to lighted cigarettes, matches, and cigarette lighters, thereby reducing fires started by children — a leading cause of fire-related deaths among children younger than five years of age.

Parents and guardians who want to quit should seek health care advice; call Barbara at 930-2650; or call the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230 for smoking cessation information and referrals.