Paris (AFP)

The Senate examines on Wednesday at first reading a proposal for a cross-party law to ban the sale of miners nitrous oxide, a gas used in kitchen tools, diverted from its use for euphoric effects.

For the hundred or so signatory senators, first and foremost elected representatives from the North, a department particularly affected by the phenomenon, this text sounds like a warning cry.

"We are at the beginning of a phenomenon that is likely to spread," feared northern centrist Senator Valerie Letard, author of the proposed law.

Very easily accessible commercially, nitrous oxide, or "proto" or "hilarious gas", is sold in the form of cartridges intended in particular siphons cream pastry.

In its diverted use, the gas contained in the cartridges is dumped into a balloon and then inhaled. Some inhalations provoke an euphoria comparable to an intoxication, accompanied by an irrepressible giggle. The effect is almost instantaneous, but in short, hence the temptation to repeat the experience.

"This gas is not identified as a dangerous product," says Létard.

However, a fortnight ago, the French health authorities were alarmed by an "increase in cases of serious neurological disorders" related to a "recreational" use of laughing gas.

Since the beginning of the year, "25 reports of severe health effects" have been recorded, including 10 "serious cases with sequelae for some", such as paralysis of limbs to varying degrees. Eight of these serious cases were recorded in the Hauts-de-France.

In Britain, where the phenomenon is older, "more than 30 deaths have been recorded since 2001," says Létard.

- "Front door " -

The flagship measure of the proposed law is the prohibition of sales to minors, including on e-commerce sites. Manufacturers should also indicate on the packaging the dangerousness of the product.

The text adopted in committee also proposes to penalize the incitement of a minor to use misuse of a consumer product to obtain psychoactive effects. It still plans to accompany the prevention policy carried out at school.

For the rapporteur Jocelyne Guidez (centrist), "it is not a question of preventing anyone from diverting everyday consumer products from their ordinary use", because such practices will always exist, "it is rather a question of limiting, as much as soon as possible, the first contact of the youngest with this product, which can have serious effects on their health ".

Among the immediate risks incurred, health authorities cite cold burns due to gas expulsion, unconsciousness, asphyxia due to lack of oxygen, etc. Regular or high-dose use can lead to "damage to the spinal cord. , vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, psychic disorders ".

The French Office for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) has identified a festive use, especially in "student parties". But elected officials also point to consumption among young teens, high school students or even college students. Hence the fear that laughing gas is "a gateway to addictive consumption".

For the president of the interdepartmental Mission to fight against drugs and addiction (Mildeca), Nicolas Prisse, "it is urgent to de-centralize this use which, for the last two years, has affected more and more young people who are not aware of risks incurred ".

Ms. Létard had already arrested the Minister of Health Agnès Buzyn on this subject, last February, during a question-and-answer session with the government.

Secretary of State Adrien Taquet said at the time that the prohibition of sale to minors appeared "rather inefficient".

"Ultimately, the best thing to do is probably to better communicate the uses and practices at risk among young people," he said.

© 2019 AFP