Filenews 14 August 2021 - byMichalis Hatzivasilis
The issue of possession and supply of laughing gas, the well-known laughing gas, which is widely used in coastal areas, especially in the summer season, now comes under the Drug Act.
With a law passed by the House last March, the issue of possession of laughing gas has been included in the Drugs Act, since it contains substances that fall into this category. The Anti-Drugs Agency (YKAN) is now preparing a circular informing police officers and setting out the agency to investigate such cases. According to information provided by 'F', until now the issue of the possession and supply of laughing gas has been downgraded and offenders have been prosecuted on the basis of Article 236 of the Penal Code concerning negligent and reckless acts. That's why the cases were being investigated by local stations.
As a result of this situation, those who were referred to the Courts were punished with fines and only in a few cases were prison sentences imposed and these were reduced. Now cases of the detection of laughing gas bottles will be examined by the local TSEs and where serious issues are deemed to arise, such as possession of a large quantity or side effects on citizens who used such gas, the YKAN will also intervene. It should be noted that a huge amount of laughing gas was recently detected in Limassol, with YKAN proceeding with the seizure of 330,000 vials. Laughing gas is widely used in the areas of Ayia Napa and Protaras and sells it for up to €5 a balloon to young people having fun in nightclubs. In fact, at some point such material was sold outside pubs and clubs.
Also many young people ended up in the First Aid of Famagusta General Hospital from the use of laughing gas, after fainting and episodes of malaise. The material found in laughing gas is widely used in confectionery and is legally imported, but some take advantage of it by filling balloons with it which they sell to nightclub patrons who inhale them. It is noted that because the substance contained in laughing gas has been passed into the Drugs Act, penalties are also increased for those who possess or supply such material.
