No more laughing, the city of Agen regulates the use of nitrous oxide on public roads

"For several years, the misuse of nitrous oxide – better known as laughing gas – has been a cause for concern due to its widespread use, particularly among young people. This phenomenon, observed in the party scene and now in the street, leads to dangerous behavior, incivility, and serious health problems: asphyxiation, burns, loss of consciousness, lack of oxygen, loss of reflexes, neurological and cardiac disorders... and even death in the most severe cases. The City of Agen is no exception to this reality," said a municipal press release, in support of its decision to prohibit "the possession, use, and abandonment of nitrous oxide cartridges in all public areas and in all places accessible to the public, between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m."

In some neighborhoods, especially at night, the phenomenon has grown, as evidenced by complaints and grievances from local residents, confirmed by the police, causing, in addition to the health risks incurred by users, neighborhood nuisances and a significant number of used cartridges littering the roads. On the Gravier esplanade side, near nightspots, the use of nitrous oxide is no longer to be dismantled.

Sanctions

Any violation noted will be prosecuted and punished, warns the municipal decree, and the reports sent to the services of the public prosecutor of Agen.

The municipality also reminds that inciting a minor to divert a consumer product to obtain psychoactive effects is punishable by a fine of up to 15,000 euros.