Karl Lauterbach will prohibit sale of laughing gas to young people
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach intends to ban the sale of Laughing Gas as a party drug to young people through legislation. SPD politician Lauterbach has drafted a bill change, as reported by the "Rheinische Post". A ministry spokesperson confirmed the plans today. The amendment proposal reportedly also includes a ban on so-called "KO drops". The paper has now entered the ministerial approval process. Lauterbach had previously spoken out in favor of stricter regulations.
Laughing Gas, or Nitrous Oxide (N2O), has been on the rise as a party drug for several years. Consumers inhale the euphoriant substance through balloons. In Germany, Laughing Gas has not yet fallen under the Narcotics Act and can be bought in cylinders or cartridges at supermarkets, tobacco shops, or online. Other countries have already introduced legislative measures against its misuse.
For children and adolescents, a fundamental possession ban is intended to apply. According to the report, however, industrial, commercial, or scientific use of Laughing Gas as an "acknowledged use" should remain permitted, as long as the misuse of the substance as a recreational drug can be excluded. The background is that Laughing Gas is also used in industry, for example, for whipping cream, or in medicine and science.
People welcomed the announcement from Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who intends to propose a law to ban the sale of Laughing Gas as a party drug to young people, following the report in the "Rheinische Post". While the sale of Laughing Gas for industrial, commercial, or scientific uses may remain permitted, the proposed legislation aims to restrict its misuse as a recreational drug, particularly among children and adolescents. Other countries have already implemented similar measures to curb the abuse of Laugher Gas, highlighting the need for stricter regulations in Germany.
