METHODS: We defined an e-cigarette call as a Wisconsin PCC call regarding an e-cigarette cartridge or e-liquid exposure; a conventional cigarette call was a call regarding conventional cigarettes or butts exposure. Only single-substance calls were included. Demographic characteristics, exposure routes, medical outcome, and care level were compared.
RESULTS: During January 2010–October 2015, a total of 98 single-substance e-cigarette calls were reported, and annual calls increased from 2 to 35; during the same period, 671 single-substance conventional cigarette calls were reported with stable annual call volumes. E-cigarette calls were highest for children aged ≤5 years (57/98, 58.2%) and adults aged ≥20 years (23/98, 23.5%). Almost all conventional cigarette contacts were among children aged ≤5 years (645/671, 96.1%). The primary exposure route was ingestion for both e-cigarettes (66/98, 67.3%) and conventional cigarettes and butts (667/671, 99.4%). Vomiting was the predominant adverse effect for e-cigarettes (19/47, 40.4%) and conventional cigarettes (144/202, 71.3%), followed by ocular irritation for e-cigarettes (5/47, 10.6%) and choking for conventional cigarettes (24/202, 11.9%). Health care facility referral occurred for 14 (14.3%) e-cigarette and 22 (3.3%) conventional cigarette contacts.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of calls to PCCs for e-cigarette exposure has increased in Wisconsin, and is highest among young children. Strategies are warranted to prevent future poisonings from these devices, such as nicotine warning labels or child resistant packaging.