National Poison Prevention Week—Sample News Release
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Date:
Phone:
Ingestion of Cigarettes Among Children Has Toxic Effects
In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15–21, the (name
of organization) is alerting the public about ways to prevent childhood poisoning.
Cigarettes and cigarette butts may poison children who ingest them.
In 2006, the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) received more than
6,100 reports of potentially toxic exposures to tobacco products among children
younger than 6 years of age in the United States. Most cases of nicotine poisoning
among children result from their ingestion of cigarettes or chewing tobacco.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the
Rhode Island Department of Health, children in households where cigarettes are
smoked in their presence were four times more likely to ingest cigarettes or
cigarette butts than in households where smoking does not occur around children.
Most ingestions happen in homes where children are exposed to secondhand smoke
and where cigarettes and ashtrays are kept within the reach of children.
Adults who smoke in the home may not be aware of the danger of cigarettes
and cigarette butts to children,” said (spokesperson’s name). “Children
aged 6- to 24-months old are actively exploring their environment and often
put things into their mouths. It is very important that parents and caregivers
store tobacco products out of the reach of children always and that they do
not smoke around children because of the associated health hazards," said (another
spokesperson’s name).
While minor toxic clinical effects may occur, such as vomiting, nausea, lethargy,
gagging, and a pale or flushed appearance, severe toxicity among children who
ingested cigarettes, cigarette butts, or snuff, include depressed respiration,
cardiac arrhythmia, and convulsions. If ingestion does occur, a poison-control
center should be consulted to assess the risks for serious toxicity and determine
treatment.
In addition to preventing nicotine poisonings, avoiding the use of tobacco
products in the presence of children should decrease the risk for lower respiratory
and middle ear infections in children; the risk that children will smoke in the
future; and children's access to lighted cigarettes, matches, and cigarette
lighters, thereby reducing fires started by children—a leading cause of
fire-related deaths among children younger than 5 years of age.
Parents and guardians who want to quit should seek health care advice or
can call (phone number) for smoking cessation information and referrals.
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