Vapes, Nicotine Pouches, and Other Nicotine Products: What Parents of Young Children Need to Know

First published May 2016
Updated August 2026

Many adults, and some teens, use vapes (also sometimes called e-cigarettes), nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products. If you have young children, it is important to know that these products can pose a serious poisoning risk.

Liquid nicotine, the fluid used in some vapes, is highly concentrated. It often comes in bright colors and flavors, like chocolate cake, gummy bear, or cotton candy, that can be appealing to children. Every year, poison centers receive thousands of calls about young children who have swallowed nicotine products or gotten liquid nicotine in their eyes or on their skin. Even a small amount of liquid nicotine can cause serious poisoning, breathing problems, or chemical burns to the eyes or skin.

Nicotine pouches can also be dangerous for young children. They are small, often come in different flavors, and are easy to mistake for candy, gum, or a mint. If a child swallows a nicotine pouch, the nicotine inside can quickly cause serious poisoning.

The safest choice is to keep all nicotine products out of the home. If you choose to have them in your home, you can lower the risk by following these steps:

• Choose child-resistant packaging whenever possible. Child-resistant packaging can help slow children down but remember that child-resistant does not mean childproof. Always close the package or container completely after each use and return it to a safe storage place.
• Talk with children about nicotine products. Teach children that vapes, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products are not candy, food, drinks, medicine, or toys. Remind them never to eat, drink, or touch something without checking with a trusted adult first.

• Use nicotine products away from children. Children learn by watching the adults around them. Avoid using nicotine products around children whenever possible. Using a vape, nicotine pouch, or other nicotine product in front of children may make them curious or encourage them to imitate what they see.

• Store nicotine products safely. Store vapes, refill bottles and cartridges, disposable vapes, nicotine pouches, and other nicotine products, up, away, and out of sight, preferably in a locked cabinet. Avoid storing them in purses, backpacks, coat pockets, or other places children can easily reach. Never leave these products on a counter, coffee table, nightstand, or in a vehicle where a child could find them.
• Handle and dispose of products safely.  If you refill a vape, wear disposable gloves and clean up spills right away. Throw away used paper towels, empty refill containers, and other cleanup materials in a trash can that children cannot reach. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling liquid nicotine.
• Be Prepared: Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and post it in a visible place in your home. Call right away if you think your child has swallowed liquid nicotine, gotten liquid nicotine in their eyes or on their skin, or come into contact with any nicotine product they should not have. The Poison Help Line provides free, confidential advice from experts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If your child spends time with older siblings, grandparents, relatives, babysitters, or other caregivers that use nicotine products, ask them where they keep these products. Making sure everyone in your child’s life is storing their nicotine products safely can help lower the risk of a poisoning.

Learn more about poison prevention from the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.