Calls to strictly regulate nitrous oxide as report shows how easy it is to buy online
Calls to strictly regulate nitrous oxide have been made after it was revealed that it is readily available to minors online in Ireland.
Dublin TD Mark Ward is calling for the "laughing gas" to be strictly regulated in Ireland due to the online sale of it alongside balloons on sites such as Amazon and Adverts. There are even recommendations on the sites that they are frequently bought together.
A report by The Journal showed that there have been several deaths in Europe - including Ireland - due to misuse of nitrous oxide. As previously reported by Dublin Live, a 16-year-old boy lost the feeling in his limbs and became unable to walk after using the drug for four years.
Sinn Fein TD Ward said: 'What is most shocking is that on the Amazon website, it recommended the purchase of balloons as 'frequently bought together' with nitrous oxide canisters. I have been raising the need to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide for a long time and I have produced legislation that would do just that.
'Nitrous oxide does have medical and catering uses which is why my bill would restrict its sale just to those industries that have legitimate use of the product. This would help prevent the misuse of the substance, particularly by minors. We have seen nitrous oxide being targeted to young people with its advertising and flavours.
'We know that there are health effects, both physical and mental, that can be caused by the misuse of the nitrous oxide. We have heard of people presenting with frostbite and neurological damage to medical professionals, following the use of nitrous oxide. The Journal have also attributed several deaths in Europe, including Ireland to the misuse of Nitrous Oxide.
'This requires action and the fact that is so readily available online should highlight the urgency to regulate its sale. I am calling on the government to take action on this. If they won't my bill is ready to go to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide.'
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