Nitrous oxide is the third most consumed substance apart from tobacco and alcohol, alerted the Paris police headquarters in a press release published on May 3.
And it is for this reason that it has just banned "
underage people
" from its consumption "
in all forms
".
The specific objective?
Stop a "
disturbing resurgence
" of this practice among the youngest.
This measure took effect from May 3 and will last until July 31 inclusive.
What to prevent an inflation of consumption caused by the return of the beautiful days.
Once inhaled using a balloon, this gas provokes giggles and its consumption is increasingly attractive, at school, in a nightclub or during a party.
And it is difficult to fight it because the product is diverted from its usual uses, that is to say in the kitchen (siphon) or in the hospital (anaesthetic).
Number of cases multiplied by 10 since 2019
This ban thus covers several important areas in Paris, including the Champ de Mars, the Champs-Élysées, the Place de la Bastille and the Place de la République.
The prefectural decree also prohibits "
the possession by minors of aluminum cartridges, carboys and bottles containing nitrous oxide
".
The press release emphasizes the extent of the phenomenon: “
the number of cases assessed by the addictovigilance network has multiplied by 10 since 2019
” and “
the number of serious cases is also increasing
”.
It also warns about the frequency of this consumption which is "
daily in almost half of the cases
".
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Neurological sequelae
For young people, the risks are then multiple: dependence, accidents, neurological sequelae, ...
"Nitrous oxide inactivates vitamin B12 which intervenes in the spinal cord and it loses its proper functioning"
, had already warned Arthur Lionnet, neurologist at Nantes University Hospital in our pages.
And the consequences can be of different natures:
“There can be muscle weakness,
urinary disorders
and sensitivity.
Concretely, this can range from tingling in the limbs to
paralysis
causing difficulty in walking
, lists the doctor.
As soon as symptoms appear, stop taking the product and consult urgently.”
And this concern is not confined to France: the British government, at the end of March 2023, announced its desire to ban laughing gas.
The mayor of Paris, however, has doubts about the method used: “
We must use this order to do prevention.
It will be counter-effective if we impose sanctions
, ”said Anne Souyris, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of health at the microphone of
BFMTV
.