Overview

• In 2023, nitrous oxide intoxications in France rose by 30% to 472 cases, with severe cases increasing nearly fourfold since 2020.
• For the first time, two newborns were reported with neurological disorders due to in utero exposure linked to maternal use of nitrous oxide.
• Women now account for as many intoxication cases as men, marking a significant demographic shift in reported usage patterns.
• Daily and long-term consumption has escalated, with 50% of users inhaling nitrous oxide daily and 59% using it for over a year, leading to severe and sometimes irreversible health risks.
• Parliament is negotiating final measures, with the National Assembly supporting a retail sales ban from 2026 and the Senate favoring penalties for misuse without a full ban.