Authorities, residents, and international media are raising concerns about the growing use of nitrous oxide — popularly known as “laughing gas” — in Ibiza’s tourist hotspots, particularly in the West End area of Sant Antoni.

This substance, which induces brief episodes of uncontrollable laughter, is usually inhaled from balloons filled with gas extracted from small cartridges or large canisters. While it may seem harmless at first glance, experts warn that it carries serious health risks: hypoxia, loss of consciousness, falls, cold burns, irreversible neurological damage due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, as well as psychiatric disorders and psychological dependence. In severe cases, its use can lead to seizures or even death.

On the streets, discarded containers and balloons are a common sight, revealing its easy availability and high consumption among visitors. Local business owners and residents have reported alarming incidents, from fainting and convulsions to physical injuries caused by inhaling gas directly from the container, which can freeze skin on contact.

The sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes is “technically” prohibited in Spain, yet the lack of effective enforcement in certain tourist zones allows the practice to continue. Recently, larger containers have been found, far exceeding the usual single-dose format, which increases the amount inhaled and, consequently, the health risks.

Local authorities have implemented measures such as the creation of new “intrusion and coexistence” officers to strengthen monitoring and promote a safer, more responsible tourism model. However, residents and business owners insist that stricter controls are needed to stop this practice before it becomes a chronic problem in the island’s nightlife scene.