Nicotine Poisonings Soar in Babies and Toddlers

A new study in Pediatrics highlights a sharp 763% rise in nicotine poisonings among children under 6, driven primarily by the growing popularity of nicotine pouches like Zyn. From 2010 to 2023, U.S. poison centers recorded over 134,000 cases—most involving toddlers and nearly all occurring at home.

While most cases were minor, two toddlers died after ingesting liquid nicotine used in vapes. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved public health messaging around the risks of “tobacco-free” nicotine products, safe storage, and youth access. Public health communicators play a vital role in preventing these entirely avoidable poisonings through education and awareness. Read the full story from NBC here.