new bill would require more secure packaging for ecigarette refills

by marc kovac @ohiocapitalblog mkovac@dixcom.com published november 23, 2014 600amcolumbus containers of liquid used to refill electronic cigarettes would have to be sold in packaging that would be difficult for youngsters to open, under legislation being considered in the ohio senate.sen. shannon jones, rspringboro, offered sb 379 as a means to prevent children from accidentally swallowing the toxic liquid.&quotaccidental poisonings of children from ingesting liquid nicotine, manufactured for electronic cigarette use, have risen significantly in recent years,&quot jones recently told the senate&39s commerce and labor committee, in testimony submitted as part of an initial hearing on the bill. &quot... electronic cigarette refills contain unregulated and highly concentrated levels of liquid nicotine if ingested or absorbed through the skin, one teaspoon could be lethal to a child.&quotsb 379 would require childresistant packaging for ecigarettes liquid, whether the products contain nicotine or not.the packaging would have to be &quotdesigned or constructed to be significantly difficult, within a reasonable time, for a child under five to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the liquid&quot but &quotmust not be difficult for a normal adult to open or properly use the liquid,&quot according to an analysis by the state&39s legislative service commission.the bill would not apply to &quotsealed, prefilled or disposable replacement cartridges.&quotcivil fines of up to 1,000 would be imposed for each violation. jones said poison centers around the country are fielding nearly 200 calls per day related to accidental exposures to ecigarette refills. that&39s up from about one call per day four years ago.some of the refills, she said, come in packaging and flavors that appeal to children.&quotthe colorful packaging can be extremely attractive to an exploratory toddler, and the liquid is scented to smell like candy,&quot jones said in her testimony submitted to the lawmaker panel. &quotit is easy to see why toddlers and young children would be curious about a product that is so similar to some of their favorite snacks and candies.&quotthree other states have enacted comparable legislation.&nbsp