At the initiative of the Schaerbeek Mayor Cécile Jodogne, the Conference of Mayors of the capital has sent a letter to the Federal Government and the Brussels-Capital Region asking for a ban on the sale of nitrous oxide outside of the food sector.
People under the influence of laughing gas (nitrous oxide) represent a danger to themselves, those around them, and in the public space, due to their unpredictable behaviour, the mayor’s office justified on Wednesday in a press release.
According to the Mayor, it is a proven fact that its consumption in Brussels, as in other cities, has increased exponentially. It is not uncommon to find large-volume cylinders on pavements or in rubbish bins, which, as well as being unclean, pose a risk of injury or damage, due to the explosive nature of the substance.
Currently, a federal rule prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide to minors and municipal rules prohibit its misuse and possession, but offences must be recorded in flagrante delicto.
This legal framework is effectively used by the police in the field to issue penalty notices in the event of a resident being visibly seen possessing the gas, allowing for the issuance of fines. Environmental regulations are used to seize cylinders stored in non-regulatory conditions.
To remedy the shortcomings of the existing legal framework, Cécile Jodogne sent a letter to the 18 other Brussels mayors setting out proposed actions to be taken by the federal and regional governments, starting with a ban on the sale of nitrous oxide outside the food sector.
Ideally, customers would have to show a professional card to prove they work in the culinary sector. Sales would also be banned in certain venues, such as nightclubs, off-licenses and small food retailers.
The Brussels mayors are also calling for a large-scale awareness campaign surrounding the inhalation of the gas to be organised.
