Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Safety and Prevention/E-Cigarettes, Teens and “Dripping”: 4 Safety Concerns

E-Cigarettes, Teens and “Dripping”: 4 Safety Concerns

E-Cigarettes, Teens and “Dripping”: 4 Safety Concerns
February 14, 2017
Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT
0 Comments

It’s been a few years since I outlined 8 Facts Parents Need to Know About E-Cigarettes in a previous blog post.

Unfortunately since then, their use has continued to grow among teens. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens reported in 2016 that 14% of 10th graders and 16.2% of 12th graders had used e-cigarettes in the previous month. That’s a staggering amount.

What’s even more surprising is that 66% of teens cited in the same report said that they think there’s just flavoring in them. Many e-cigarettes, however, do contain nicotine. And while the FDA received regulatory authority over e-cigarettes last year, consistent levels of nicotine in these products hasn’t been established yet.

Adding further to the issue, a recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that one in four high school youth who use e-cigarettes have tried “dripping” with them. This vaping method involves dripping the e-cigarette liquid directly onto the hot coils of the apparatus, which can produce smoke that is more potent than normal. It may also create a higher than normal temperature of the e-liquid.

As a pharmacist in the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), dripping is concerning to me for a few reasons:

4 “Dripping” Safety Concerns

  1. Exposure to more potent and potentially toxic substances. A higher e-liquid temperature can produce more harmful chemicals inhaled into the lungs, including formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are carcinogenic. Formaldehyde can also cause asthma, contact dermatitis and as well as adverse side effects on the central nervous system, such as mood changes, depression, headache, insomnia, irritability, and attention and memory issues.
  2. Potential for skin contact. Dripping the e-liquid directly onto the coil, versus the traditional method of vaping, could raise a teen’s risk for accidental exposure to the skin. Nicotine is rapidly absorbed and it only takes a small amount for it to be poisonous to a teenager.
  3. Safety for younger children. Our DPIC already receives concerning calls about kids’ exposures to e-liquids, using traditional vaping methods. Both toddlers and children accidentally ingesting the liquid because it has been left within their reach. I do worry that with this new method, there is a greater potential for harm with younger children as the liquid is handled more frequently.
  4. Potential for explosions. While this isn’t a concern specifically for dripping, it is a concern for e-cigarettes in general. There have been reports of e-cigarettes exploding, causing chemical burns, blast injuries, and thermal burns.

As a parent, one of the greatest problems I see with e-cigarettes is that we have no way of detecting that our kids are doing it. They won’t smell like smoke. In my mind, being proactive is the best defense that we have. I’ll be adding “dripping” to the list of things I speak with my kids about, and will review these facts about e-cigarettes and e-liquids to guide my conversation.

If you have any concerns about your child being exposed to nicotine or any other harmful substance, please call your Drug and Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. We can learn more about your child, the situation, and walk you through what to do next.

Related Articles

Warm Weather Guide to Water Safety
Warm Weather Guide to Water Safety
Whippits, Huffing and Nitrous Gas: What Kids Are Inhaling for a High
Whippits, Huffing and Nitrous Gas: What Kids Are Inhaling for a High
Social Media: What Effect Is It Having on Kids?
Social Media: What Effect Is It Having on Kids?
Are Protein Powders, Drinks and Bars Safe for Teens?
Are Protein Powders, Drinks and Bars Safe for Teens?
TAGS:
  • drug and poison control
  • e-cigarettes
  • teen health

About the author: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT

Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, DABAT, ICPS, is a pharmacist and clinical toxicologist. She has more than 20 years of experience at the Drug and Poison Information Center Hotline at Cincinnati Children’s.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 853 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 687 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 595 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 272 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 262 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 257 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center