Stop snus at school

The government now has a proposal on its table that proposes a total ban on the sale of nitrous oxide for intoxicating purposes.

In addition, snus must be stopped during school hours and on, for example, school trips.

– Nitrous oxide is not meant to be used for intoxicating purposes, says investigator Inga-Lill Askersjö.

Using nitrous oxide to get drunk has become increasingly common, both in Sweden and abroad.

– There has been a belief that the use of nitrous oxide is harmless, because it is not regulated and that nitrous oxide is used in healthcare. But the reality is different, says Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD).

Nitrous oxide can be purchased in regular stores or online, as there is no regulation for non-medical use.

Now an investigation is proposing a total ban, with certain exceptions.

The investigator believes that age restriction is not an alternative to a total ban.

– It is just as dangerous for a 20-year-old as for an 18-year-old, says Askersjö.

However, it should be allowed to buy two cartridges, for example to use in cooking. But an age limit of 18 years is then proposed.

When you inhale nitrous oxide to get drunk, you risk a lack of oxygen, which can lead to a number of different injuries. Everything from peeing on yourself and becoming fumbling to suffering from psychosis, losing your memory and getting blood clots in your lungs and brain.

Another suggestion from the investigator is a nicotine-free school period. This would apply to the entire time that teaching is taking place at school, and also on, for example, school trips.

Today, there is a smoking ban in schools, but it only applies on the school grounds, and only for smoking. With the new proposal, all forms of nicotine are to be covered, including snus. And the ban does not apply to a geographical area, but to the time the school is in session.