Kassel Joins the Crusade Against Underage Sale of Laughing Gas
Kassel enacts a ban on the retail sale of nitrous oxide to underage individuals. - Minors Prohibited from Purchasing Laxatives in Kassel
Gather 'round, folks!
The city of Kassel is the latest to take a stand against the sale of laughing gas to minors, following in the footsteps of Hanau and Frankfurt. This decision comes as a result of an overwhelming vote by the city council, as announced by a city representative. Previously, hessenschau.de had shed light on this very issue.
The proposal, submitted by the city coalition of Greens, CDU, and FDP, pointed out the increasing prevalence of laughing gas misuse, particularly among the younger generation. The usage of this "partydrug" has also seen a spike in Kassel.
For the Record: Ban Afoot
The plan aims to put a stop to the selling and free distribution of laughing gas to minors within the city. In addition to establishing a legal foundation and an enforcement strategy, an awareness campaign about the risks of laughing gas consumption will be launched. Vendors are expected to display this campaign alongside their products. Moreover, the magistrate will explore the possibility of prohibiting the use of laughing gas in public playgrounds, near schools, and kindergartens.
Laughing gas, with its sweet aroma, has been gaining traction among the younger crowd as a party drug for quite some time. When inhaled, it delivers a brief high. At present, it isn't classified as a narcotic in Germany, making it freely available. However, its consumption can result in loss of consciousness, heart and lung failure, breathing difficulties, and neurological damage.
Hanau, being the first city in Hessen to enforce such a ban for minors in March, also prohibits the use of laughing gas near playgrounds and schools. Frankfurt followed suit in early May, extending its ban to cover distribution, such as through balloons. Similar restrictions are in place in cities like Osnabrück, Hamburg, and Dortmund.
Health Minister's Embrace
Hessen's health minister, Diana Stolz, applauded the growing number of cities in Hessen implementing a sale ban for minors, as stated on Tuesday. "Laughing gas isn't just a harmless pastime, but a danger to children and young people that we need to protect them from," she said. She considers the bans enforced by the first cities in Hessen to be a "strong warning" to youngsters, implying that using laughing gas is truly dangerous.
Stolz promotes a nationwide ban on the party drug. "I find it crucial that a sales ban for minors is now to be regulated nationwide," she said, emphasizing her support for a holistic approach to stop or control sales through vending machines and online channels. She also announced that the topic will be on the agenda for the next health ministers' conference in Weimar.
New Federal Health Minister's Plans
Federal health minister Nina Warken (CDU) revealed in mid-May that prohibiting laughing gas as a party drug would be one of her top priorities in office.
Partydrug* Kassel* Laughing Gas* Hanau* Hessen* Frankfurt* CDU* City Council* FDP
- The city council of Kassel, in alliance with the Greens, CDU, and FDP, has proposed a comprehensive policy that includes a ban on the sale and distribution of laughing gas to minors, aiming to address the rising concerns about misuse among the younger generation, following suit from cities like Hanau and Frankfurt.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, particularly mental health, Hessen's health minister, Diana Stolz, has advocated for a nationwide policy to ban the sale of laughing gas to minors, given the potential dangers it poses to children and young people, echoing the sentiments of the community and various city policies across Hessen.
