Dissolvable Tobacco Products
New dissolvable tobacco products look like candy so are especially appealing to small children and teens:
- The dissolvable nicotine pellets look like tic tacs, and the dissolvable strips look like mint breath fresheners.
- The products contain levels of nicotine that can be poisonous and pose a serious health threat, if ingested by small children and youth.
- Dissolvable tobacco products appeal to young persons who may initiate tobacco use by starting with these products.
- Marketed for use when one can't smoke by law, as a bridge product.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' April 2010 online edition published a study concerning dissolvable nicotine products inadvertantly consumed by small children. These products look like candy, especially to small children: dissolvable nicotine pellets look like tic tacs; dissolvable strips look like mint breath fresheners. The products contain levels of nicotine that can be poisonous and pose a serious health threat, if ingested by small children and youth. For example, a 1-year-old infant could experience mild to moderate symptoms of nicotine poisoning by ingesting 8 to 14 Orbs, while 10 to 17 Orbs would bring about severe poisoning or even death, the authors said. A 4-year-old would encounter severe toxicity or death after ingesting 16 to 27 Orbs, 27 strips or five sticks, they added. Learn more in the April 19, 2010 HealthDay newsclip.
The FDA is considering regulating new dissolvable tobacco products that are not FDA-approved for helping to quit smoking. Click here for more FDA information about dissolvable tobacco products.
Last update: 8/26/11