Youngsters who use laughing gas are "playing Russian roulette", a Dublin TD has warned.
The popularity of Nitrous Oxide among young people continues to grow, with 22% of young people using the HSE's Adolescent Addiction Service admitting to taking Nitrous Oxide on occasion, an increase of 175% compared to 2021.
Sinn Fein TD Mark Ward has submitted new legislation that would regulate the sale of Nitrous Oxide to commercial use only. It would not criminalise young people for simple possession of nitrous oxide but it would give the Gardai the power to seize the canisters.
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The Dublin Mid-West politician said that the widespread use of laughing gas "is resulting in antisocial behaviour, litter, and it is damaging to people’s health".
"You only have to walk into any estate or green area, and you will see large, discarded canisters of Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as 'laughing gas'," he said.
"When they first came out, we used to see small single use canisters, known as silver bullets, discarded around the place. Now they have been replaced by large canisters. which have super doses in them.
"Those large canisters are being sold on the street for €40 each. Unscrupulous dealers are making vast profits from the sale of nitrous oxide."
Deputy Ward said that the legislation he has submitted to the Bills office in the Oireachtas is similar to legislation introduced in Holland where authorities are regulating the use of nitrous oxide outside the medical and catering industries.
“A young person taking Nitrous Oxide is playing Russian roulette, because they do not know the effect that the gas is going to have on them until they take it," he said.
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