My point of view is very particular on this subject. Being a medical toxicologist—and Canadian poison centres are handling acute exposures—what I am concerned about is the potential for liquid nicotine to cause harm, especially in children, because children under six years of age have a smaller body weight, and they are also very curious by nature.
What is it that they actually overdose on? They overdose on whatever they find in their environment, especially at home.
Tobacco products have been around for a long time, but everyone will realize that it is much more difficult for children to be exposed to a big amount of nicotine by chewing on conventional cigarettes. It's very likely they are not going to be able to chew more than just a little piece. It's completely different with liquid nicotine, which will be absorbed very quickly. On top of that, if flavourings such as cherry or grape are added, we create a situation with a toxin that's very potent, a liquid preparation that could be absorbed through the skin or the gastrointestinal tract very rapidly, and a flavouring that makes the substance attractive to children. We might be seeing the stars align for a big catastrophe and the perfect storm to happen in the future.
That is my position.