Electronic Cigarette Exposure: Calls to Wisconsin Poison Control Centers, 2010-2015

Introduction:
This text discusses a study on the increasing number of calls to the Wisconsin Poison Center related to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) exposures between 2010 and 2015. The study aimed to examine the frequency, characteristics, and associated adverse health effects of e-cigarette exposures compared to conventional cigarette exposures. The study also highlights the public health concern regarding the potential impact of increased e-cigarette availability on children.

Key Points:

* The study found that e-cigarette exposure calls to the Wisconsin Poison Center increased approximately 17-fold between 2010 and 2015.
* E-cigarette exposure calls were associated with children aged 5 years and younger (58.2%) and adults aged 20-39 years (30.6%).
* Conventional cigarette exposure calls predominantly occurred among children aged 5 years and younger (95.8%).
* Most e-cigarette and cigarette exposures occurred at the patient's home, and calls originated from the exposed person's residence.
* The majority of exposures among patients 5 years and younger were from the ingestion of e-liquid during an unsupervised period.
* Most exposures among patients 20-39 years of age were unintentional due to malfunction of the e-cigarette.
* A majority of individuals with exposures to e-cigarettes and cigarettes were asymptomatic or had symptoms of limited severity.
* Moderate effects occurred among 4.1% of e-cigarette exposures and <1.0% of cigarette exposures.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the need for strategies to prevent future poisonings from e-cigarettes, particularly among children. The authors suggest implementing nicotine warning labels and public advisories to keep e-cigarettes away from children. The increasing trend of e-cigarette exposure calls highlights the importance of regulatory measures to ensure the safe use of these products.

Weiss, D., Tomasallo, C. D., Meiman, J. G., Creswell, P. D., Melstrom, P. C., Gummin, D. D., Patel, D. J., Michaud, N. T., Sebero, H. A., & Anderson, H. A. (2016). Electronic Cigarette Exposure: Calls to Wisconsin Poison Control Centers, 2010–2015. WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, 115(6), 306–310.