site.btaParliament Adopts Amendments at First Reading to Restrict Access to Laughing Gas for Minors

Parliament voted on Wednesday at first reading to restrict access to laughing gas for minors by adopting amendments to the Health Act proposed by Lachezar Ivanov of GERB–UDF. The legislature debated a total of five draft bills to amend the Health Act. MPs also adopted the bill submitted by Vasil Pandov of Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB, but rejected those proposed by MECh, Bozhidar Bozhanov (CC–DB), and Stela Nikolova (CC–DB).

The amendments introduced by Lachezar Ivanov were supported by 161 MPs, and three abstentions. The changes aim to restrict access to laughing gas, particularly for minors; introduce stricter rules and conditions for its sale, distribution, and storage; increase administrative penalties for violations, and create a legal mechanism for the temporary or permanent closure of establishments that systematically trade in nitrous oxide in breach of the law.

The amendments also provide for higher sanctions for parents and guardians who do not accompany their underage or minor children - after 8 pm and 10 pm respectively - to food and entertainment venues, as well as increased penalties for managers of commercial establishments who allow unaccompanied minors on their premises after 10 pm.

The bill submitted by Vasil Pandov, supported by 122 MPs, with 63 abstentions, proposes improvements to the disease prevention system through the creation of a structured preventive care calendar, the establishment of conditions to ensure state funding for national health programs, and the introduction of legally defined criteria regarding the type and quality of food provided to patients in hospital medical institutions.