Due to a nationwide shortage, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is temporarily unable to provide nicotine lozenges.
Other forms of nicotine replacement therapy, including patches and gum, remain available.
OSDH Partners To Support Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act
OKLAHOMA CITY – June, 9, 2016 – The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has partnered with the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information to support a new law that will decrease the risk of children gaining access to liquid nicotine. The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act now requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to hold liquid nicotine packaging to the same standard as other child resistant packaging requirements for poisons and medications.
Liquid nicotine is manufactured for use in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), sold in a highly concentrated form and can be fatal if swallowed or absorbed in the skin. In 2014, there were 156 nicotine-related poisonings reported to the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information. These special packaging requirements aim to make it difficult for children less than five years of age to open or to obtain highly toxic contents.
“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of children getting into liquid nicotine products, and the vast majorities are less than six years of age,” said Dr. Scott Schaeffer, managing director of Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information. “The colorful labeling and packaging of these liquids and their flavorings, makes them very attractive to children.”
The law will go into effect on July 26, 2016, 180 days after the President’s authorization and applies to any form of chemical nicotine, regardless of whether naturally or synthetically derived.
“Child resistant packaging has been shown to reduce poisonings among small children. This law is an important and necessary step to protect children as the market for liquid nicotine products increases,” said Adrienne Rollins, Tobacco Use Prevention manager, OSDH Center for the Advancement of Wellness.
For more information about the dangers of liquid nicotine use visit the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information website at www.oklahomapoison.org or call the OSDH Center for the Advancement of Wellness at 405-271-3619.
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The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline is a FREE service for Oklahomans wanting to quit tobacco. Funding is primarily provided by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Employees Group Insurance Division and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline has served more than 365,000 Oklahomans since 2003 and was ranked the top quitline for reaching tobacco users seeking treatment in FY2013 by the North American Quitline Consortium.
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, by cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health. To learn more go to: www.ok.gov/tset.
For more information, contact:
Thomas Larson, Director of Public Information and Outreach
thomasl@tset.ok.gov
Direct: (405) 521-4992
Cell: (405) 642-6860
