News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Wednesday, Katie Detgen is seen placing marijuana lock bags on a table in the Alpena District Health Department No. 4 office. Detgen said the lock bags are available to residents for free with “no strings attached.”

ALPENA — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and District Health Department No. 4 (DHD4) are taking steps to ensure that youth are protected from accidental nicotine and cannabis exposure.

Concerning cannabis, DHD4 is working with community members to limit youth exposure by offering free access to lock bags with “no strings attached,” according to Katie Detgen, DHD4 public health educator.

“Lock bags are available to pick up from all DHD4 offices,” Detgen said. “We are hoping to reduce youth access to marijuana products, but these bags may be beneficial for locking up medications or other items that youth should not be accessing.”

According to the DHD4, young children may confuse marijuana products for regular food or candy.

“Be sure all medical or recreational marijuana products are kept in child-resistant packaging, clearly labeled, and locked up,” DHD4 states on their website. “Children should not be able to see or reach the locked area.”

According to a recent FDA press release, the department is calling on nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging to protect American children from accidental, harmful exposure.

“From Apr. 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025, the number of reported nicotine pouch exposure cases reported to U.S. Poison Centers steadily increased,” the release states. “Approximately 72% of nicotine pouch exposure cases occurred in children under 5 years of age.”

According to the release, nicotine pouches contain concentrated nicotine that is potentially harmful or fatal to young children, even in small amounts. Toxic effects in young children have been reported with nicotine doses as low as one to four milligrams.

Symptoms of nicotine poisoning may include confusion, vomiting, and loss of consciousness, according to the FDA.

“I am concerned about rising reports of nicotine exposures in young children caused by nicotine pouches,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in the release. “The fruity flavors and bright, colorful designs of nicotine pouch products could resemble candy and seem attractive to children. Manufacturers should consider what steps they can take to prevent accidental exposures and ingestion.”

In addition to pushing nicotine pouch manufacturers to use child-resistant packaging, the FDA is also issuing information to educate consumers on how to properly store nicotine pouches and prevent accidental exposure.

According to the release, parents and caregivers should safely store all nicotine products, including pouches, in secure locations away from children in original packaging and seek immediate medical attention if accidental ingestion occurs.

The release also states that child-resistant packaging can serve as an essential safety barrier to prevent children from accidentally ingesting nicotine products and demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to protecting public health.

The FDA recommends that if a person, of any age, eats a nicotine pouch, they should immediately call the Poison Control HELP number at 1-800-222-1222.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.