Exposures to e‐cigarettes and their refills: calls to Australian Poisons Information Centres, 2009–2016

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a retrospective analysis of calls to Australian Poisons Information Centers (PICs) from 2009-2016 regarding exposures to e-cigarettes and their refills. The study highlights the dangers of e-cigarette use, particularly for children, and the lack of regulation around their safety and labeling.

Key Points:

* The popularity of e-cigarettes has increased in Australia, but their safety for users and risk for households is not established.
* Imported e-cigarette products may not meet Australian standards for child-resistant closures and appropriate labeling.
* The study found a significant increase in calls to PICs regarding e-cigarette exposures from 2009-2016.
* Most calls were from relatives worried about children's exposure to the liquid component of e-cigarettes.
* Adults and adolescents were the subjects of 62% of calls, including potential side effects of routine use, accidental ingestion, or skin/eye splash exposures.
* Twelve calls involved deliberate administration for self-harm.
* Most patients had mild symptoms, mainly gastrointestinal disturbances, but the potential risks of e-cigarette use, especially for children, should not be underestimated.
* Almost all child exposures require hospitalization for monitoring of possible toxic effects.

Main Message:
The study emphasizes the need for improved safety measures for e-cigarettes, including changes to their labeling, storage, and packaging. As an expert in regulatory matters, the main message is clear: without proper regulation, e-cigarettes pose a significant risk to users and those around them, particularly children. The findings of this study should be used to inform policy decisions and ensure the safety and well-being of the public.

Wylie, Carol, Aaron Heffernan, Jared A Brown, Rose Cairns, Ann‐Maree Lynch, and Jeff Robinson. “Exposures to E‐cigarettes and Their Refills: Calls to Australian Poisons Information Centres, 2009–2016.” Medical Journal of Australia 210, no. 3 (February 2019): 126–126. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.12032.