Kassel imposes ban on selling nitrous oxide to underage individuals - Minors in Kassel prohibited from purchasing laxatives
In the heart of Germany, Kassel has jumped on board the bandwagon, prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide to minoragers. The city council, united in their vote, passed an amendment to the public safety ordinance, as announced by the city's spokesperson. Previously, hessenschau.de had shed light on the subject.
The coalition of Greens, CDU, and FDP spearheaded the motion at the town hall. "The inappropriate use of nitrous oxide as a 'Partydrug' is experiencing rapid growth, predominantly among young people," they declared. The consumption surge has hit the city too.
A comprehensive ban
In a bid to safeguard the city's youth, they intend to prohibit both the sale and free distribution of nitrous oxide to minors within the city limits. Apart from creating the legal groundwork and enforcement plans, an awareness campaign focusing on the pitfalls of nitrous oxide consumption is in the pipeline, and vendors will be required to display these warnings in their establishments. Furthermore, the magistrate will investigate the possibility of banning nitrous oxide consumption in public playgrounds, near schools, and kindergartens.
For several years now, nitrous oxide has been on the rise as a popular party drug among younger folks. This gas, boasting a sweet aroma, is inhaled, generating a fleeting high. According to the Federal Centre for Health Education, this gas is currently not classified as a narcotic in Germany and is readily available for purchase. Abusing nitrous oxide can potentially result in loss of consciousness, heart and circulatory failure, shortness of breath, and neurological damage.
Hanau was the pioneer of Hessen cities to restrict the sale of this party drug to minors as early as March. There, nitrous oxide consumption near playgrounds and schools is also prohibited. In the beginning of May, the city council of Frankfurt passed a resolution implementing a similar ban, which extends to distribution, such as in balloons. Cities like Osnabrück, Hamburg, and Dortmund also have similar restrictions in place.
Hessen's health minister praises the crackdown
On a Tuesday, Hessian Health Minister, Diana Stolz, applauded the fact that more and more cities in Hessen are taking a stand against the sale of nitrous oxide to minors. "Nitrous oxide is not a harmless recreational activity, but a peril to children and young people that we must warn and protect against," said the CDU politician. She declared the ban imposed by the first Hessen cities a "harsh statement" to youth, conveying the message, "Nitrous oxide consumption is hazardous."
Stolz advocates a nationwide ban on the party drug. "I consider it crucial that a sales ban for minors is now to be enacted nationwide. I welcome the fact that the new Federal Health Minister will bring her draft into the cabinet and move to implement a ban not only at vending machines and via mail but also at the point of purchase," said Stolz." Hessen had already put the issue on the agenda for the upcoming health ministers' conference in Weimar."
Federal Health Minister, Nina Warken (CDU), announced in mid-May that she would prioritize banning nitrous oxide as a party drug as one of her initial actions in office.
- Partydrogue
- Kassel
- Nitrous Oxide
- Hanau
- Hessen
- Frankfurt
- CDU
- City Council
- FDP
[1] "German Cities Crack Down on Sale of Nitrous Oxide to Minors," (2025), Available at: https://www.daily-german-news.de/german-cities-crack-down-on-sale-of-nitrous-oxide-to-minors
[2] "German States and Municipalities Implementing Sale Restrictions on Nitrous Oxide for Minors," (2025), Available at: https://www.german-states-narcotics-policies.org/nitrous-oxide-restrictions/
- The city council of Kassel, following the lead of Hanau and Frankfurt, is planning a comprehensive ban on the sale and free distribution of nitrous oxide to minors within the city, aiming to protect the health and wellness of its youth.
- Recognizing the potential dangers of nitrous oxide, especially its misuse as a 'partydrug' among young people, the coalition of Greens, CDU, and FDP in Kassel has spearheaded a motion to prohibit the use of nitrous oxide in public areas such as playgrounds, schools, and kindergartens, promoting greater science-based understanding of mental health impacts and overall health-and-wellness.
