BERLIN, Dec 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, approved a law on Friday banning the purchase and possession of nitrous oxide by people under 18, as the substance has increasingly been used as a party drug, Xinhua reported.
The legislation, which had been passed by the lower house, the Bundestag, in November, also bans online sales and purchases from vending machines of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.
Officials said the move addresses serious health risks associated with nitrous oxide use, especially among minors, including loss of consciousness and potential long-term damage to the nervous system.
Stricter regulations will also apply to gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO), substances associated with "knockout drops" that can be added to drinks to facilitate crimes such as sexual assault and robbery.
The new rules are expected to take effect in April 2026.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA
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