Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Health hasissued a warning to not sell or use nitrous oxide N2O, a colourlessand sweet tasting gas, for recreational purposes.

The decision was made following a proposalby the People’s Committee of Hanoi to ban selling the gas for recreationalpurposes due to adverse effects that could lead to death.

The gas is being used widely among youth inthe form of funky balloons or nitrous oxide-filled balloons, despite warningsfrom experts who say the balls can be addictive and negativelyaffect the nervous system of users.

Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas, andafter inhaling it, people burst into laughter.

Dr Nguyen Anh Vu, from the Hanoi University ofScience and Technology’s School of Chemical Engineering, said that nitrousoxide creates an instantly refreshing feeling but also leads to dizziness.It blocks the nervous system, reducing the ability to think, distortingsounds, and even causing visual hallucinations.

A person exposed to nitrous oxide in a closedroom or inhaling it directly will suffer from a lack of oxygen in theirbloodstream, he said.

According to scientists, young women havebeen advised to avoid exposure to nitrous oxide because it might lead tofertility problems.

In a document sent to the Hanoi People’s Committeeon May 29, the Ministry of Health said according to a regulation set by theMinistry of Industry and Trade which manages the use of nitrous oxide, the gasis only permitted to be sold and used for industrial production, not forhuman use.

The ministry instructed the Hanoi People’sCommittee to continue to disseminate information to raise public awarenessabout the adverse effects of the use of the nitrous oxide.-VNA