Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has today introduced legislation to combat the sale of nitrous oxide to children and to combat its misuse, which can have severely deleterious effects on health in both the short and long term.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The reduction in the abuse of nitrous oxide is something that I have been highlighting and working towards for some years now. I introduced legislation to that effect in the last Dáil and am glad to be able to have the opportunity to do so again.

“The abuse of nitrous oxide is something that flies under the radar for many people. It is incredibly common and many people may have seen the rubbish left behind, particularly the large black canisters, and not known what they were.

“These canisters litter our green spaces. Pressurised canisters can present a hazard to council workers going about their job or the many volunteers who give up their time to keep their communities tidy.

“The easy accessibility and low cost of nitrous oxide make it a dangerous substance for misuse, particularly among young people. Recreational abuse of nitrous oxide can lead to serious consequences, including hypoxia, nerve damage, and even death.

“Regulation as outlined by this legislation can help curb its abuse, ensuring it is used safely and for legitimate purposes. This is all aimed at protecting public health and reducing the environmental impact that we can see so plainly in our communities.

“It is a problem that has been ignored for too long. The gardaí want certainty and young people need to be made aware of the dangers they are facing.

“This gas is not harmless. The temporary high can have very permanent consequences.”