site.btaParliament Enacts Total Ban on Sale of Laughing Gas to Individuals

Parliament passed conclusively amendments to the Health Act, enacting a total ban on sales of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and laughing gas cartridges to individuals here on Wednesday. The ban includes online sales and was supported by 105 MPs who voted in favour, with 47 voting against and 12 abstaining.

Previously, the sale of laughing gas was only restricted for individuals under 18. The new amendments now impose a total ban on sales to individuals, with an exception for sole corporations who sell laughing gas to other businesses. Additionally, the amendments prohibit advertising laughing gas on online platforms.

Violating the ban will result in fines ranging from BGN 5,000 to BGN 10,000. Repeat offenders will face fines from BGN 10,000 to BGN 20,000. If a sole trader or another business commits the violation, the fine will be between BGN 20,000 and BGN 30,000. For violations in catering and entertainment establishments, or in cases of repeat offenses, the fine will be between BGN 30,000 and BGN 40,000, and the establishment faces a shutdown.

This measure follows lawmakers previously declining to add laughing gas to the controlled substances list and follows a public outrage and measures introduced by local authorities after stickers advertising laughing gas were found near a secondary school in Sofia earlier this week.

The amendments to the Health Act also mandate all healthcare providers, regardless of whether they hold medical degrees, to enter electronic data for every patient activity. The act also regulates the provision of diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive services remotely, including the use of mobile clinics for medical assistance. The health minister will issue guidelines on telemedicine. The telemedicine provisions will take effect starting April 1, 2025.

The Medical Institutions Act now allows hospitals to carry out preventive and screening activities in remote and hard-to-reach areas using mobile units. These provisions for mobile medicine will take effect starting January 1, 2026.