France, Dec. 10 -- The ban, which runs from 12 December to 31 March, prohibits consuming the gas in public areas, carrying or transporting it by minors and abandoning cartridges or canisters in public spaces across the department.

Nitrous oxide is used legitimately in medicine and cooking but has become popular among young people for its euphoric effects. One dangerous side effect is loss of control.

"We must not wait for a tragedy to strike Jura before taking action," the prefect said- adding the aim is to limit misuse, especially among young people.

Public radio France Bleu said a similar order was adopted months earlier in the department of Doubs.

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