Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been following with increasing alarm the debate about the dangers of electronic cigarettes. Today, Dr. Edel Duggan, clinical director of the National Poisons Information Centre, informed my office that she, too, is very worried about the dangers posed by electronic cigarettes. She is especially concerned about the alarming spike in the number of children in particular who have suffered from nicotine poisoning in the past two years. Dr. Duggan believes there could be a fatality if the problem is not addressed urgently. Nearly as many cases of nicotine poisoning were recorded in the first three months of this year as in the whole of 2013. The statistics we received today were frightening. They include 17 cases, comprising 11 children under the age of six, two teenagers and four adults. The National Poisons Information Centre believes the real number of nicotine poisoning cases is likely to be much higher.

An electronic cigarette is a battery operated device designed to deliver nicotine, flavour and other chemicals which are vaporised into an aerosol and inhaled by the user.

These e-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine, which can cause acute illness and vomiting in young children. Severe nicotine poisoning can lead to coma, convulsions, heart attack and respiratory arrest. A measure of 40 milligrams per millilitre has the potential to be fatal, and some of these e-cigarettes on the market have 36 milligrams of nicotine per millilitre, which is too close for comfort. The e-cigarette industry advises that the e-cigarette cartridges should be stored out of reach of children but as we know, children are well able to get something they want, especially if it is attractive.

Sales of e-cigarettes in Ireland have increased by 500% in the past year and it is a business in this country worth over €7.3 million. The industry is reported to have been worth €3 billion on a global scale last year. E-cigarette packaging is attractive and they have attractive flavours, which is a deliberate attempt by the industry to target young people. The marketing is clever in that it avoids falling under any other regulatory framework that would otherwise protect the public and children in particular. I am worried, Dr. Duggan is worried and the Minister for Health should be worried.

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