Trends of Tobacco Product-Associated Poisoning Events in Children < 6-Years Old

Audience: All

Key Points: Trends

Educational Experience: Understand trends

Benefits: Guide strategies to prevent these events

Background: According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), tobacco products accounted for 7,493 poisoning events in children < 6 years of age in the United States in 2009. With increasing number of emerging tobacco products on the market, unintentional child poisoning associated with tobacco products is an important public health concern. Understanding trends of tobacco product-associated poisoning events (TPAPEs) could help public health professionals and regulators develop effective strategies to reduce and prevent TPAPEs.

Methods: Data on TPAPEs from 2005 through 2009 were obtained from AAPCC. Annual frequencies of TPAPEs in children < 6 years of age by type of tobacco product and other characteristics were calculated.

Results: The number of all TPAPEs in children < 6 years of age increased from 6,124 in 2006 to 7,493 in 2009, representing a 22% increase during four years. The number of poisoning events associated with smokeless tobacco products followed a similar pattern with a 33% increase during the same period.

Discussion: The study results indicate an upward trend of TPAPEs in young children in the United States in recent years. As AAPCC's data were collected with a passive and spontaneous reporting system, the number of TPAPEs is likely under-reported and the magnitude of the increase in TPAPEs could be greater. Public health professionals should remain vigilant in monitoring TPAPEs in order to develop effective and timely strategies to reduce and prevent TPAPEs.