While the use of nitrous oxide gas is being diverted for creative purposes, the mayor of Lyon (Rhône) has decided to take strong action. Grégory Doucet signed a municipal decree on Monday, November 25, 2024 prohibiting the sale, possession and use of gas in cartridges or other forms of pressure containers. This concerns both minors and adults, specifies Progress .
In his municipal decree, the city councilor indicates that he took this decision to “preserve health, safety and public peace”. In addition, sanctions are planned. Indeed, fines may be given in the event of violations. Other municipalities in the sector have already issued this type of decree: Vénissieux, Meyzieu, Décines-Charpieu and Givors. In 2023, officers from the Lyon metropolitan area collected more than 20 tonnes of laughing gas bottles abandoned on public roads.
A national phenomenon
“The misuse of nitrous oxide has been a phenomenon identified for several decades, particularly in the party scene”we can read on the website Drogues.gouv.fr. “But the resurgence of this use, among middle and high school students and students with repeated, even daily, long-term consumption and in large quantities, helps to explain the seriousness of the damage reported more recently. »
Nitrous oxide gas is sold in different forms: cartridges such as whipped cream siphons or carboys. They are sold in grocery stores, supermarkets and on the Internet. In France, it is prohibited to sell this gas to a minor or to encourage them to consume it.
To find out more: read the article from Progress .
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