CDU parliamentary group seeks to limit nitrous oxide sales

The Berlin CDU faction is proposing restrictions on the sale and use of laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide. They plan to call on the Senate to launch a corresponding Federal Council initiative to regulate the sale of this substance, with the goal of protecting children and young people from its health-endangering abuse. The faction will discuss and decide on this motion at their closed meeting scheduled for the weekend.

The use of laughing gas among children and young people is on the rise, making it one of the most commonly used substances among schoolchildren. The easy availability and low cost of this gas are contributing factors, according to CDU MPs. The overall number of people with problematic substance use is increasing in Europe and Germany, which poses a significant risk to public health. The potential consequences of laughing gas abuse can be severe, with dozens of deaths reported annually across Europe.

The faction is considering whether regulations should be enacted through the Youth Protection Act or the New Psychoactive Substances Act. They are also looking into alternatives based on sales and possession bans in other European countries. The Bundestag’s Petitions Committee has recommended implementing a sales ban for people under 18, which could serve as a model for future regulations in Berlin.