The impact of conventional and nonconventional inhalants on children and adolescents

AIM

Inhalant abuse in the adolescent population is a growing concern for care givers, communities, physicians, and medical providers. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the literature about this new challenge. In addition, it raises awareness about recent health policy rulings.

METHODS

Review of the literature was done.

RESULTS

In this review article, the prevalence of different modes of inhalant use and abuse in children and young adults and their potential health implications will be examined: Cigarettes, ENDS (E Cigarettes), Hookah, Marijuana, and Huffing. Additionally, marketing and advertising tactics will be reviewed to understand how they target this population. A review of current health policy recommendations from the FDA, American Thoracic Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics will also be discussed.

CONCLUSION

The rapid rise in e-cigarette and hookah use in school aged children should trigger a call to action in the medical and public health communities. Health policy recommendations need to be made to reduce the level of adolescent substance abuse.

Culturally Relevant Protective and Risk Factors of Youth Risk Behaviors Among Pakistani and Indian Students in Hong Kong: A Focus Group Study

PURPOSE

The risk behaviors of Hong Kong ethnic minority students are understudied. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to explore culturally nuanced factors for the development and prevention of risk behaviors among Pakistani and Indian students in Hong Kong.

METHOD

Twenty-three students participated in four focus groups. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The participants reported bullying, delinquency, gambling, alcohol, cigarette, and drug uses as risk behaviors. Four themes emerged in the development and prevention of risk behaviors: (a) Parental and peer influence, (b) An unsafe community environment were perceived by the participants as essential factors for the development of risk behaviors, (c) Parental monitoring, and (d) Strong religious beliefs were believed as protective factors for the prevention of risk behaviors.

CONCLUSION

Further research and practice may investigate and focus on the factors embedded in the Hong Kong ethnic minorities' sociocultural contexts to prevent risk behaviors.

Recreational inhalation of butane and propane in adolescents: Two forensic cases of accidental death

The recreational use of inhalants is a fairly widespread habit among adolescents because of the ease of availability and methods of assumption. Their use is however not free of risks, both for direct toxicity on several target organs and for a mechanism of gas replacement with lack of oxygen. The first case concerns a 12-year-old boy who died suddenly after sniffing a mix of butane and propane contained in a can of air freshener. The second case concerns a 14-year-old boy who died by acute poisoning by the same mixture contained in a refill for lighters. High concentrations of the compounds were found in the tissues by analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds found in tissues and biological fluids were perfectly compatible with those contained in the containers used for the inhalation. The mechanisms of death were therefore assessed in a combination of the direct toxicity of the compound and oxygen replacement, thus highlighting the crucial help that toxicological analyses can provide in such cases.