2020 to 2023 Saw Sharp Increase in Nicotine Pouch Ingestions in Children
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, July 17, 2025 -- Nicotine pouch ingestions increased 763.1 percent among children from 2020 to 2023, according to a study published online July 14 in Pediatrics.
Madelyn Olivas, from the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues analyzed unintentional, single-substance nicotine ingestions among children younger than age 6 years reported to the National Poison Data System from 2010 to 2023. The authors sought to identify the characteristics and trends of nicotine ingestions.
The researchers identified 134,663 nicotine ingestions among children younger than age 6 years reported to U.S. poison centers; most were among children younger than 2 years, were among boys, or occurred at a residence (76.2, 55.5, and 98.5 percent, respectively). From 2010 to 2015, there was an increase in the rate of nicotine ingestions by 59.4 percent, followed by a decrease of 34.1 percent from 2015 to 2023. This rate trend was mainly due to the ingestion rate for liquid nicotine, which increased 450.0 percent from 2010 to 2015, followed by a 45.2 percent decrease from 2015 to 2023. From 2020 to 2023, there was an increase of 763.1 percent in the rate of nicotine pouch ingestions. Compared with other nicotine product formulations combined, nicotine pouches were more likely to be associated with a serious medical outcome or medical admission (odds ratios, 1.53 and 2.03, respectively).
"Banning flavors in all nicotine products helps reduce unintentional ingestions by young children as well as discourage use among teens," senior author Gary Smith, M.D., Dr.P.H., also from The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, said in a statement.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2025
Read this next
Adjusted Mortality Rate Increased for Seniors After Hurricane-Related Flooding
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2025 -- For older adults, the overall adjusted mortality risk is higher in flooded regions versus nonflooded regions for up to five years after hurricane landfall...
Broader Formulary Coverage Linked to Lower Odds of MS Relapse
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2025 -- Broader formulary coverage is associated with lower odds of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse among Medicare beneficiaries, according to a study published...
Increase Seen in Nitrous Oxide-Related Mortality From 2010 to 2023
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2025 -- From 2010 to 2023, there was an increase in nitrous oxide-related mortality, with the trend significant through 2018, according to a research letter...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.