Nicotine, found naturally in tobacco plants, is the chemical responsible for the addictive nature of cigarettes, cigars, and many e-cigarettes.
Until recent years, nicotine poisoning was a relatively rare occurrence and tended to be linked to exposure to insecticides containing the chemical. However, the popularity of vaping or e-cigarettes has seen an increase in reported cases.
Both adults and children can be affected by nicotine, with over 50 percent of cases of nicotine exposure reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) in 2014 occurring in children under 6 years of age.
