E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes come in many forms and have multiple parts. The devices often look like cigarettes or pens.
a cartridge that holds a liquid (often called e-juice)
E-cigarettes may pose health and safety risks to children. These risks include poisoning, choking, burns, and effects from inhaling second-hand vapour.
What are e-cigarettes and how do they work?
E-cigarettes come in many forms and have multiple parts. The devices often look like cigarettes or pens. The vapour mimics the appearance of smoke. The act of using an e-cigarette is often referred to as vaping. Other names for e-cigarettes include vapour pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). These terms are more commonly used in the United States to describe devices that contain nicotine.
There is currently no legislation requiring warning labels, child-proof packaging, or labelling for the amounts of chemicals in the liquid.
The sale of e-cigarettes with nicotine is illegal in Canada, yet many are still available.
A typical e-cigarette is made up of:
The cartridge contains varying amounts of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, flavourings, water, and other chemicals (potentially including nicotine). The amount of toxic chemicals like nicotine is often unknown. Cartridges do not contain tobacco.
E-Cigarettes: To Vape or Not To Vape?
Should non-smokers vape? Is vaping less harmful than smoking? Can smokers quit by using e-cigarettes?
Call Poison and Drug Information Services at 1-866-454-1212
If you think your child ingested or absorbed the liquid from an e-cigarette.
Effects from Second-Hand Vapour
Second-hand vapour from e-cigarettes may irritate the lungs, making it harder for children to breathe; especially those who have asthma. Inhaling the vapour can also irritate the mouth, throat, and eyes, and can cause allergic reactions. The chemicals used to flavour the liquid in e-cigarette cartridges can also cause lung damage when inhaled.
Choking
E-cigarettes are made up of several small parts. Young children, who have a tendency to put non-food items in their mouths, are at an increased risk of choking on the parts of an e-cigarette. If you think your child has swallowed a part from an e-cigarette and is having difficulty breathing, get immediate medical care.
Burns
It is important to remember that an e-cigarette is an electronic device. As such, e-cigarettes can overheat, short out, and explode. The explosions can cause a fire, resulting in burns to skin and damage to property. Blast injuries from an explosion may result in deeper tissue damage.
The liquid in the cartridge may cause chemical burns to the skin.