Germany's Bundestag has approved a law banning the sale of nitrous oxide to minors, including online purchases and unmanned vending machines. Health authorities cite a rise in poisonings and warn the gas can cause dizziness, fainting, hallucinations and lasting nerve damage. The law allows small cartridges (up to 8.4 g) to be sold to adults for legitimate uses like whipping cream, and it tightens controls on high doses of GBL and BDO while permitting limited industrial use under conditions.
Germany Bans Sale of 'Laughing Gas' to Minors and Tightens Rules on 'Knockout' Chemicals
Germany's Bundestag has approved a law banning the sale of nitrous oxide to minors, including online purchases and unmanned vending machines. Health authorities cite a rise in poisonings and warn the gas can cause dizziness, fainting, hallucinations and lasting nerve damage. The law allows small cartridges (up to 8.4 g) to be sold to adults for legitimate uses like whipping cream, and it tightens controls on high doses of GBL and BDO while permitting limited industrial use under conditions.
04:12 PM, 11/14/2025Health
Germany restricts nitrous oxide sales to protect young people
German lawmakers approved a law in a late-night Bundestag session on Thursday that bans the sale of nitrous oxide (commonly known as "laughing gas") to minors. The measure also prohibits online sales and unmanned, self-service vending machines that have been used to distribute the gas.
Nitrous oxide is often sold in small cartridges and inhaled from balloons at parties. While it can produce a short-lived euphoric effect, health authorities warn of serious risks: users may experience dizziness, fainting, hallucinations and, with repeated or heavy use, permanent damage to the nervous system. Officials have reported an increase in poisonings linked to the gas in recent years.
"It is devilish for young people," warned conservative lawmaker Hans Theiss during the debate.
Exceptions and related restrictions
The new rules include specific exceptions: single-use cartridges with a maximum capacity of 8.4 grams will remain legal for sale to adults because they have legitimate culinary and household uses, such as whipping cream.
The legislation also targets high doses of the chemicals gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO), substances sometimes referred to as "knockout drops" because they can render victims unconscious and be misused in sexual assaults or robberies. High-dose sales of those substances will be restricted, while permitted industrial or medical uses at lower concentrations will continue under defined conditions and oversight.
What this means
- Under-18s will no longer be able to buy nitrous oxide in stores, online or from vending machines.
- Adults may still purchase small (≤8.4 g) cartridges for legitimate uses.
- Stronger controls will apply to GBL and BDO to reduce criminal misuse while preserving regulated industrial applications.
The law aims to balance public-health concerns and legitimate commercial uses while curbing easy access that has contributed to rising misuse among young people.