Minister Lauterbach shows his reaction. - Teenagers are now turning to vending machines for illicit substances.
Scary news: in Germany, laughing gas canisters are even sold at kiosks - right next to potato chips and chocolate bars. (
"Risks around youngsters"
A letter from the parents comes from Gifhorn. There, a vending machine with nitrous oxide bottles is located next to sweets and disposable e-cigarettes. At the beginning of May, the town's parents' council urged local authorities to tackle the vending machines near a school and daycare center. Besides, they've also written a letter to the Health Minister. They're demanding stricter legal regulations.
Legal, readily available, yet risky
Nitrous oxide (N2O for brevity) is legal and readily available in most supermarkets. It's actually used for whipping cream or as a relaxant in healthcare (like at the dentist). Yet when inhaled directly from the bottle, it causes a strong high: dreamy, relaxed, and euphoric. However, it can lead to dizziness and unconsciousness.
The CDU/CSU and the German Medical Association have already spoken out against selling nitrous oxide to minors. Now Lauterbach is following suit. The Federal Minister expressed concerns in Berlin on Wednesday: "The rapid popularity among children and teenagers is concerning everybody." He finds the sale of nitrous oxide in vending machines or late-night stores unacceptable, especially to kids and teens. He's negotiating with relevant government departments about this, so hopefully, rules will be formed soon. "It cannot stay like this."
Incidents involving nitrous oxide are getting more frequent: two weeks ago, a 19-year-old in Munich caused a car crash. Beforehand, he had inhaled nitrous oxide and passed out. A similar incident happened in Berlin in April. In February, a teenage nitrous oxide user fell under a train in Munich and got seriously injured.
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Source: symclub.org
