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Nitrous oxide gasification – Ryster Stockholm

It is Aftonbladet’s photographer who has photographed Stureplan in central Stockholm the morning after a party night.

There are plenty of balloons and cartridges that are used to fill the balloons with nitrous oxide in the streets. The nitrous oxide is used as an intoxicant, mostly by young people and young adults.

– It is not acceptable, says Mikael Gontier at the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate Aftonbladet.

According to Aftonbladet, hospital cases related to the use of nitrous oxide in Sweden have increased fivefold in the last year. Between 2010 and 2020, there had never been more than 10 admissions related to nitrous oxide – in 2021 the number had shot up to 50.

Fainted

Patients have usually fainted after inhaling the gas, or received cold injuries from the nitrous oxide containers.

Nitrous oxide is an atmospheric gas that is used medically for anesthesia and pain relief, as well as for industrial use. But they can also be used for intoxication. The effect is short-lived.

To Aftonbladet, chief physician at the poison information center, Johanna Nordmark Grass, says that the use does not cause harm as long as it is not done often.

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sea ​​view

The drug is most popular among adolescents and young adults, and health professionals warn about side effects the gas may have.

– We have had cases where it affects the nerves so much that people can not walk and have to sit in a wheelchair. It can also get into the nervous system in the head and lead to psychosis, depression or anxiety, it can also increase the risk of dementia, says Nordmark Grass to Aftonbladet.

– Not good for you

Nitrous oxide is not illegal in Sweden, and is sold freely online, in addition to the black market in Sweden, the police inform Aftonbladet.

– I think something needs to be done about it. It does not have the same effect as drugs, but it is not good for you. Now you see the negative effects, says policeman Joar to Aftonbladet.

In Norway, it is illegal to sell nitrous oxide as a drug, but it is not considered a drug. According to the drug information, several stores have stopped selling products that contain nitrous oxide, or only sell from stores with a 20-year limit.

Minister of Social Affairs in Sweden, Lena Hallengren, tells Aftonbladet that the development is disturbing.

– The government is looking at ways to counteract the use of nitrous oxide as a drug, she tells the newspaper.

Tightens the law

Nitrous oxide is also a growing problem in Denmark. On the emergency line of the Poison Line in Denmark, they experience an increasing number of young people calling in with injuries after inhaling nitrous oxide.

– They may experience tingling in the fingers and feet and they may have difficulty coordinating arms and legs. Sometimes they also say that they are lazy, have difficulty concentrating and that their memory gets worse, says chief physician at the Poison Line Dorte Palmqvist, to Denmark’s radio.

She also says that intoxication can cause long-term damage.

– We have examples of young people who have taken quite large amounts in a few days who are admitted to hospital with signs of nerve damage, says Palmqvist.

In 2020, the Danish Parliament introduced the so-called nitrous oxide law, or the nitrous oxide law. It says that it is forbidden to sell nitrous oxide to young people under the age of 18, and that you can not sell more than two cartridges at a time to private individuals. In 2022, the Folketing tightened the law, which now states that it is illegal to sell nitrous oxide for intoxication purposes.

Stores that sell alcohol, tobacco or e-cigarettes are also not allowed to sell nitrous oxide.

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