Euskirchen is considering banning the sale of laughing gas to young people!

Euskirchen is considering banning the sale of laughing gas to young people!

The city of Euskirchen has launched plans to ban the sale of nitrous oxide (nitrous oxide) to minors. The necessary regulatory ordinance will soon be submitted to the Council for a vote. Already during the preliminary consultation in the main and finance committee there was broad support from all factions, such as ksta.de reported.

Department head Jan-Christoph Neitscher explained the reasons for the proposed ban. Nitrous oxide is very popular among young people due to its euphoric effect and is often consumed through balloons. But the risks should not be underestimated: In the short term, dizziness, nausea or even loss of consciousness can occur, while long-term consequences such as serious nerve damage or cardiovascular diseases can occur. The ban is intended to prevent adults from passing on nitrous oxide to minors to ensure their safety.

Health risks and federal regulations

Numerous reports, including from t-online.de, paint a worrying picture of the consumption of this substance. Nitrous oxide is classified as a risky party drug that can be fatal in the worst case scenario. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns of the damage to health that can result from excessive consumption. It is also being observed that more and more young people are being drawn into gambling-like consumption.

The Federal Ministry of Health in particular is planning comprehensive measures against the sale of laughing gas. Health Minister Nina Warken has initiated a draft law that not only severely restricts purchases from self-service machines, but also online trading. This is happening against the background that bans already apply in many German cities, such as Hamburg. A sales ban is also being examined in Bavaria, as shown on br.de reported.

Local initiatives for prevention

While the EU has already taken some steps in the right direction, the Greens in Euskirchen are also discussing possible prevention campaigns to educate people in schools and youth centers. This could help children and young people be better informed about the dangerous consequences of nitrous oxide consumption.

Mayor Sacha Reichelt made it clear that although Euskirchen is not considered a hotspot for nitrous oxide consumption, the ban is intended to send an important signal. The CDU also questions how checks at points of sale should be carried out and where exactly the need for regulation lies.

The regulation banning sales will have severe consequences, as violations can be punished with fines of up to 1,000 euros. In this way, Euskirchen is tightening the protective framework for the health of young people in order to prevent these dangerous substances from continuing to have unhindered access.