The OASI Foundation has raised concerns about abuse of Nitrous Oxide (N2O), better known as laughing gas.
"N2O is used in the food industry as a food preservative and in the automobile industry as a combustion agent. As mentioned, it is an effective instant pain relief with a very short half-life, effective in dentistry," the Foundation said. "As with any other medicine, it is effective when prescribed by professional medical personnel following appropriate protocol based on research and studies."
While N2O can cause laughter, it said, "it can cause several difficulties. In the short term, Nitrous Oxide use in humans may cause dizziness, vision impairment, loss of balance, difficulties in sensory-motor coordination and judgment difficulties. Long-term use can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, neurotoxicity, bowel and bladder dysfunction, as well as sexual difficulties, and the risk of death (Garakani et al., 2016). It can also cause psychiatric symptoms such as altered mental state, hallucinations, psychotic episodes and mood disturbances."
"The OASI Foundation's concern on N2O abuse is increasing since we are receiving several reports as well as witness evidence that implies N2O increasing use in our younger generations."
"It is not the first time that we found 8 gr N2O cannisters and ballons in parking areas within 100 metres of schools in Gozo. We have made several attempts to inform the relevant authorities."
"We had parents contacting us concerned about their children celebrating with laughing gas use provided by and in the presence of a coach after winning."
"Other parents told us that a nearby supermarket ended up without any ballons as these were all purchased by foreign students together with N2O cannisters," the OASI Foundation said.
Among other things, it said that Secondary school children shared with it that laughing gas balloons are being sold for €5 for two balloons at time youth leisure places.
It spoke of a photo showing paraphernalia associated with N2O use dumped in a field in Gozo nearby a village of less than 3000 habitants.
The Foundation made a number of recommendations.
It recommends restricting the maximum quantity of cartridges that can be supplied at any one time, It also recommends age-restricted sales, typically to those aged 18 and over, including requiring the display of a notice on premises that details the offence of selling to under 18s, and requiring age verification in both brick-and mortar shops and online.
It suggests restricting sales of nitrous oxide products during the night (such as between 10pm and 5am), which may include online sales, and also preventing nitrous oxide products from being visible or accessible to the public in retail stores.
Among other things, it also recommends prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide by bars and clubs, or in shops selling alcohol, tobacco products or electronic cigarettes. This should also include stationary shops.
It recommends requiring warning labels on nitrous oxide products, including the 8-gram cartridges that are the most common source of the gas, and that warnings may also provide contact details for poison centres.
It suggests requiring sellers to keep records of sales to verify that sales have been legal, and strengthening legislation around safe transport and storage of nitrous oxide.