"New research published in JAMA reveals nitrous oxide, sold as "whippits" in gas stations and smoke shops, claimed 156 lives in 2023, up from just 23 deaths in 2010. The colorless gas, legally sold without age restrictions, is marketed with flavors like "bubblegum" and "mango," hooking a generation of teens who dismiss its risks until it's too late. "This is not local to one area; it's everywhere," warned Dr. Andrew Yockey, University of Mississippi public health researcher and co-author of the study."
"The gas, legally sold without age restrictions, is often branded with candy-like flavors and cartoonish designs, making it appealing to minors. Chronic use causes severe health risks, including nerve damage, paralysis, and death, yet it remains widely available in gas stations and online. Experts warn this is a nationwide crisis fueled by corporate greed and lax regulations, with social media glamorizing its use."
Fatalities from nitrous oxide rose dramatically from 23 in 2010 to 156 in 2023, a 578% increase. The gas is sold legally without age restrictions and marketed in candy-like flavors and cartoonish packaging that appeal to teenagers and young adults. Chronic and repeated use can produce severe neurological harm, including nerve damage, paralysis, and death. Availability at gas stations and online, combined with social media glamorization and corporate marketing, has fueled widespread use. Public health experts call for stricter retail controls, bans on flavored products, and regulatory action to protect vulnerable youth.
Read at Natural Health News
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