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Frankfurt is serious: nitrous oxide consumption is banned for minors!
Frankfurt bans nitrous oxide consumption for minors and in certain places also for adults in order to minimize health risks.
Frankfurt is serious: nitrous oxide consumption is banned for minors!
The city of Frankfurt am Main is taking a clear stance against the consumption of laughing gas. In a decision that is already gaining widespread traction, the magistrate passed a comprehensive ban on the consumption of this gas, particularly by minors. As tagesschau.de reports, children and young people have no longer been allowed to buy or consume laughing gas since the beginning of May 2025. But the ban goes further: Adults are also prohibited from consuming laughing gas in certain public areas.
The ban applies to places that are often frequented by young people, such as playgrounds, schoolyards and pedestrian zones. The city council still has to approve the decision, but the signal effect is already remarkable. With these measures, the city intends to halt an increase in consumption that has been observed in recent years. A drug trend study shows that the proportion of 15- to 18-year-olds who have tried nitrous oxide grew from 13% in 2021 to 17% in 2022.
Health risks and political demands
The dangers of laughing gas should not be underestimated. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns of the health risks associated with the misuse of laughing gas. According to zeit.de, consumption can lead to serious health damage, which in extreme cases can be fatal. In addition to acute oxygen deficiency, there can be a risk of unconsciousness, paralysis and long-term neurological damage. In addition, many consumers behave carelessly by inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons, which leads to high health risks.
Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) has spoken out in favor of a nationwide ban. However, there are currently no uniform regulations for all of Germany. Nevertheless, various cities, including Hamburg, are already showing the way with their own bans. Hamburg introduced a ban on sales to children and young people in January 2025. Similar measures are already in force in cities such as Dortmund, Osnabrück and Hanau.
Why laughing gas is so popular
Nitrous oxide, chemically known as nitrous oxide (N2O), has become a popular party drug due to the high it produces when inhaled. ndr.de describes that the colorless and odorless gas was originally used in dentistry to provide patients with gentle anesthesia. Abuse as a drug often takes place via balloons and gas cartridges - a very dangerous method as it prevents oxygen from entering the body, which leads to lasting risks.
The health risks are diverse: In addition to acute poisoning, which has already led to a worrying increase in calls to the poison control center, long-term damage such as brain damage and neurological impairments cannot be neglected.
Overall, the latest developments show that the city of Frankfurt am Main and other municipalities are acting decisively to curb the abuse of laughing gas and to protect the health of young people in particular. It remains to be seen whether the measures will be enough to reverse the trend. However, there is a clear mandate for politics and society to give this problem the attention it needs.