French activists sue 'deceptive' laughing gas suppliers
Paris: A French campaign group said Wednesday, April 22, it has sued companies selling nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, using what the activists alleged was "deceptive" marketing targeting young people, despite the health impacts.
The substance was implicated in over 450 serious road accidents in France last year, a number that has multiplied by 40 in six years, according to French drivers advocacy group 40 Million Motorists.
In the case alleging dishonest trade practices before a Paris court, Alléno's association is seeking a bar on the Chinese and Polish companies behind Cream Deluxe from operating in France, as well as legal costs. According to the association, Cream Deluxe nitrous oxide canisters are manufactured by Chinese company Zhuzhou Xingye Chemical, while the brand and distribution are managed by Polish firm IVM Firma Handlowa. The Polish company told AFP that it "is not, and has never been, the 'distributor' of Cream Deluxe." "We ceased all sales to France and closed our Cream Deluxe webshop... specifically because of clear signs of non-culinary misuse," it added. Zhuzhou Xingye Chemical could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Cream Deluxe website claims that its products are designed for "creating drinks and cocktails." But Alléno rejected the idea that the canisters have a culinary use. "I've never seen one and I'll never see one" in a kitchen, he said.
A bill under consideration in France's Sénat would impose up to a year of prison and a maximum fine of €3,750 for recreational use of nitrous oxide, rising to three years and €9,000 for driving under its influence.
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