The mayor of Cannes, David Lisnard, on August 22, equipped his municipal police with three nitrous oxide detectors capable of measuring the exhaled air of drivers.
“Cannes becomes the first town hall in France to equip its municipal police with three nitrous oxide detectors,” proudly announced the city of Cannes in a press release on August 22. These devices allow identifying the presence of the gas “in exhaled air, akin to a breathalyzer for alcohol,” reports Le Parisien. A means to combat this recreational gas that young people are increasingly using, even while driving, and whose neurological harms they often ignore. A gas that “strongly impairs driving abilities and poses a major danger to road safety,” recalls the City of Cannes.
“We are anticipating the Ripost law”
A first check took place in the night of August 20-21 and led to the fining of a young driver, whose vehicle was immobilized.
A device that anticipates the Ripost law, which aims to strengthen public tranquillity. But is it legal? Since this detector is not approved, Le Parisien writes, the fines are based on a 2025 municipal decree prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide canisters. “The legal framework does not yet provide a precise judicial response,” admits David Lisnard (Nouvelle Énergie, ex-LR), candidate in the 2027 presidential election and president of the Association of Mayors of France. For all that, we are anticipating the Ripost law (…) In Cannes, I have decided to prioritize the safety of road users. The device is very reliable (…) and reinforces our local fight against this scourge.”
The Ripost law provides, among other things, the general ban on the sale of nitrous oxide to individuals, by February 1, 2027.
