General order for the protection of young people - hazard defense ordinance should follow
Nauheim. The municipality of Nauheim has enacted a general order to ban the delivery of laughing gas to minors . As Mayor Marc Friedrich (independent), the regulation came into force on July 25, 2025 and refers to the new psychoactive substance law (NPSG) in conjunction with the law on administrative offenses (§ 17 OWiG) .
The background to the measure is increasing finds of empty laughing gas cartridges in public space-including around the skater park, at the “Waldstraße” playground and in other places in the municipal area. So far there are no evidence of use by minors, but the locations indicate a potential risk.
Protection against abuse and health risks
The municipality wants to act preventively with the decision. Lachgas (chemical: stabil monoxide, N₂O to young people as a cheap party drug in recent years .
The health consequences are significant: in addition to short -term effects such as euphoria, tingling or hallucinations, permanent damage to paralysis or brain damage occur. the German medical leaf warned of the consequences of abuse, especially with regular consumption.
Wider regulation planned by new hazard defense ordinance
The new general order was developed in close coordination with department head Elif Demir , specialist service manager Lea Seibert and the regulatory office Nauheim . After the summer vacation, it is to be replaced hazard defense regulation (GEFABWVO)
In addition to the subject of laughing gas, this new regulation should also regulate other aspects of public coexistence, for example:
- Behavior in public areas
- open fire outdoors
- Dog keeping
- Cleaning and repair of vehicles
- General administrative offenses
Exchange with health department and addiction advice planned
Marc Friedrich emphasizes that the municipality is also preventive dialogue with specialist agencies . A first exchange with the health department of the Groß-Gerau district has already taken place. Further discussions, for example with the Freundeskreis for Addiction Hospital e. V. , are planned to inform about developments at an early stage and to develop further prevention measures.
The laughing gas cartridges are disposed of by the building yard as a hazardous waste .
The Federal Ministry of Health provides further information on the legal basis:
www.bundesgesundheitministerium.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/bundeskabinett-schliesst-lachgasberbot-pm-07-25.html
(Riedstadt - Red/PSR)
Photos: Finds of Lachgas cartridges in Nauheim Photo: Community Nauheim
