Laughing Gas Is No Joke Warn Health Experts

Council backs call for tighter restrictions to protect youth of Wicklow.

Wicklow County Council is backing calls for tighter controls on the sale of nitrous oxide.

It comes amid growing concern over its misuse by young people and the number of discarded canisters.

Councillors have been told that the problem is increasingly visible in local communities.

Used canisters are regularly found in housing estates, parks and beaches across the county. 

A motion from Sinn Féin Councillor John Ward is urging the government to progress legislation restricting access to the gas and to support local authorities with disposal. 

“The Mater Hospital has confirmed that there is a good number of people in hospital beds suffering from the misuse of these canisters,” 

Cllr ward also told a recent meeting of Wicklow County Council hat prolonged use can affect the nervous system and, in some cases, leave people with life changing injuries.

Officials figures indicate it costs around €10,000 to dispose of every 1,000 canisters.

There is currently no government funding allocated for their disposal.