Accidental poisoning is a common occurrence among those using medications for recreational purposes. Now, a new dissolving nicotine pellet could lead to accidental poisoning in children, simply because the pellet too closely resembles candy.

According to a recent Science Daily release, the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), the Northern Ohio Poison Control Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), found the candy-like products could appeal to young people and even lead to nicotine addiction.

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company launched a dissolving nicotine product in 2009 known as Camel Orbs. Company literature promotes this product as containing 1 mg of nicotine per pellet and flavored with cinnamon or mint. Camel Strips and Sticks were also introduced and all products were intended as a temporary form of nicotine for smokers in settings where smoking is banned.

Professor Gregory Connolly, lead author of the study and director of the Tobacco Control Research Program at HSPH, believes the actual impact and potential public health effect could be disastrous.

"This product is called a ‘tobacco’ product, but in the eyes of a 4-year-old, the pellets look more like candy than a regular cigarette. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and to make it look like a piece of candy is recklessly playing with the health of children," said Connolly.

Throughout the nation, ingestion of tobacco products by infants and children is a major reason for calls to poison control centers. In fact, in 2007, 6,724 tobacco-related poisoning cases were reporting among children five and under.

Researchers determined that a one-year old infant could suffer mild to moderate symptoms of nicotine poisoning by ingesting 8 to 14 Orbs, 14 Strips or 3 Sticks. Severe toxicity or death could result from ingesting 10 to 17 Orbs, 17 Strips or 3 to 4 Sticks. A four-year old could suffer moderate symptoms from 13 to 21 Orbs, 14 Strips or 4 Sticks. Severe toxicity or death could result by consuming 16 to 27 Orbs, 27 Strips or 5 Sticks.