The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that there has been an increase in phone calls to poison control centers in the U.S. related to the use of electronic cigarettes.
The report says that these calls have grown from one call per month on average in 2010 to about 200 calls per month in 2014, according to ABC News.
"The rise in the numbers of e-cigs related calls to poison centers leads us to view this as a major public health concern," said Dr. Kevin Chatham-Stephen, report author, pediatrician and epidemiologist with the CDC.
No increases in calls for conventional cigarettes were reported by poison control centers. Poisoning in e-cigarettes involved ingestion, inhalation and absorption of liquid through the skin or eyes. The researchers also discovered that e-cigarette calls also included effects such as nausea, eye irritation and vomiting, CBS News reported.
While e-cigarette companies claim the device is a good alternative to help people quit smoking, studies have shown that this statement is incorrect. A recent survey published in JAMA Internal Medicine said e-cigarettes didn't help smokers quit. Out of 950 smokers, 88 were able to quit, and only 9 of them said e-cigarettes helped.
Jason Healy, president of e-cigarette manufacturer Blu-cigs, said the report is a "weak argument" against e-cigarettes and is evidence of "an ongoing attack on the e-cigs industry by various anti-smoking groups," ABC News reported.
"The product is for adult smokers, and therefore the responsibility for the children's safety falls on the parents, just like bleaches and prescription medication," he said. "The focus should be on parenting and education, and not regulation."
Despite his statement, Healy did add that the industry should form measures to ensure the safety of kids.
While e-cigarettes are referred to as "smokeless", experts have stated that nicotine vapors can be just as dangerous as second-hand smoke, CBS News reported. However, this statement needs more evidence to be proven fact.
Lawmakers have voted for bans on the use of e-cigarettes in public places in recent months. The ban has taken place in major cities, such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, with legislation being proposed in Philadelphia, San Diego and other cities.
