They have become one of the elements of the urban landscape. For several years, empty nitrous oxide canisters have been littering the streets of Marseille in the early morning. In an attempt to stem the consumption of this laughing gas with its powerful effects, the City has just issued an order prohibiting its sale to minors in businesses and public places, and its consumption on public roads. Adults are also not allowed to purchase more than ten cartridges, each of which must not exceed 8.6 grams. “Our goal is to eradicate the sale of these cartridges, which are now available for purchase in more than 200 nighttime grocery stores without any restrictions.“, explains Yannick Ohanessian, deputy mayor (PS) for security, who had already issued an order to this effect in 2020.
A trivialization of consumption
Marketed as a compression gas in cartridges for whipped cream siphons or in oversized canisters, nitrous oxide has seen its use diverted for recreational purposes. “This phenomenon is taking on worrying proportions in Marseillecontinues the elected official. The daily observations made by the services responsible for road maintenance and by the municipal police demonstrate the trivialization of the misuse of nitrous oxide.“Recreational use is exploding particularly among those under 25, minors or young adults, men or women.
