Overview
- After recent deadly incidents, including three youths found in a submerged car with canisters present, Ariège communes such as Pamiers are enforcing public-space bans with fines up to €15,000.
- Local officials, including Tarascon-sur-Ariège’s mayor Alain Sutra, are pressing for stronger policing and clearer national rules following repeated interventions involving canisters in vehicles.
- The government is considering a nationwide tightening that would penalize misuse and trafficking without a blanket retail ban due to the product’s legitimate culinary applications.
- A cross-party bill to prohibit sales to all private individuals passed the National Assembly unanimously in January 2025 but remains stalled as the Senate advanced a narrower misuse-focused text in March.
- Prevention campaigns are expanding as consumption rises and awareness remains low, with 2022 data indicating 5.4% of ninth-graders reported at least one use.