Waste company collecting 3,000 used 'fast gas' canisters a week, drugs committee hears

Discarded silver-coloured canisters are a telltale sign that people have been ‘huffing’ nitrous oxide. However, volatile substance abuse (VSA) can involve a wide spectrum of substances including deodorant sprays. File Picture: PA

A surge in teenagers inhaling nitrous oxide, or "fast gas", is spiralling out of control, with one waste company collecting 3,000 discarded cannisters a week.

Health authorities are also reporting a rise in psychiatric hospital admissions of teens due to inhaling the gas.

The Oireachtas drugs committee heard Snapchat and other social media platforms are now being used to sell nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, in larger and more colourful canisters.

The committee heard from the grieving parents of 14-year-old Daniel Maguire, who died after inhaling aerosol fumes from a deodorant.

Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses including as a propellant in whipped cream canisters or when mixed with air as an anaesthetic. Committee chair Gary Gannon said people might not be aware it is now such a commonly used drug.

Dr Suzi Lyons, from the Health Research Board, said: “We know in relation to inhalant use there were 69 admissions to psychiatric hospitals in 2024.

“We know that, in 2024, there were 108 instances of treatment of inhalant use. Half of that was for nitrous oxide. The number of cases for nitrous oxide increased from zero in 2021 up to 54 in 2024.” 

It used to be sold in plain, silver packaging, Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly said.

However, sales have now moved to social media. Mr Donnelly added: “They changed the packaging to make it lovely and colourful.” 

'Element of legal responsibility'

One waste company now has “3,000 of them per week into their waste, it’s causing them huge problems because obviously they’re dangerous”, he said.

He called for “an element of legal responsibility" to be placed on those who produce the gas.

Dr Deirdre Mongan, from the Health Research Board, told senator Mary Fitzpatrick it is “more difficult to control” because it has legitimate uses.

“Very few countries have grappled with this issue,” she said.

Yvonne and Adam Maguire spoke movingly to the committee of their sports-mad son. Mr Maguire said: “He was a huge, huge loss, not only to the family but to the community as well.

“He passed out and never woke up. He fainted and for a simple, simple thing: Deodorant.” 

Ms Maguire added: “It’s very hard to try and regulate and notice, because it’s a household item.” 

Inhaling these fumes can lead to heart attacks or blood clots, her husband said, adding: “When the kids do this, they’re rolling a dice.” 

They called for warning labels on deodorants to be made bigger and more prominent. 

Mr Maguire also said that, while the committee heard nobody has died from fast gas yet, “we are aware of young people who are now wheelchair-bound because of fast gas".