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full screen The investigators come up with their recommendations on how they think nitrous oxide should be regulated. Archive image. Photo: Adam Ihse/TT
An innocent party activity or dangerous and addictive? Today, the government receives an answer as to whether age limits or other rules against nitrous oxide are needed.
The trend of inhaling nitrous oxide at parties has persisted since at least 2020, when the Poisons Information Center noticed a sharp increase in conversations about nitrous oxide.
Extensive use of nitrous oxide knocks out vitamin B12 in the body, which causes nerve damage. You can pee yourself and become fumbled. More serious symptoms are psychosis, that one loses memory and can get blood clots in the lungs and brain – the latter potentially life-threatening.
At the end of last year, several authorities started a campaign about the unpleasantness of nitrous oxide, on behalf of the government.
On Monday, the “Investigation into nitrous oxide and certain issues in the alcohol and tobacco area” will be handed over to Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD). He has previously described the easy availability of nitrous oxide as deeply worrying.
The investigation will include proposals for regulating the non-medical use of the popular party gas. This may, for example, concern age limits, how nitrous oxide may be sold and requirements on how it may be advertised. Voices have been raised to completely ban nitrous oxide outside of medical use.
FACTS Nitrous gas
In recent years, the use of nitrous oxide has skyrocketed among youth and young adults.
Nitrous oxide is used in healthcare, including during childbirth, and the name comes from the fact that it makes you giggling and relaxed.
Short-term use can lead to fainting or frostbite when inhaling directly from the tube. In the long term, nitrous oxide knocks out vitamin B12, which can lead to nerve damage, blood clots and psychosis.
Source: Poison Information Centre
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