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| MP to call on parliament to ban liquid nitrogen cocktails | MP to call on parliament to ban liquid nitrogen cocktails |
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| An MP is calling on parliament to ban liquid nitrogen cocktails after a teenage constituent had to have her stomach removed after she downed two of the drinks at her 18th birthday celebrations. | An MP is calling on parliament to ban liquid nitrogen cocktails after a teenage constituent had to have her stomach removed after she downed two of the drinks at her 18th birthday celebrations. |
| David Morris, the Tory MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has written to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and to the Food Standards Agency calling for a ban on the sale of so-called "nitro cocktails", after Gaby Scanlon fell ill when she drank two £8.95 nitro Jägermeister drinks at Oscar's wine bar in Lancaster. The cocktail seemingly created a "frozen bomb", burning away her stomach tissue to such an extent that she had to have emergency surgery to remove it. | David Morris, the Tory MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has written to the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and to the Food Standards Agency calling for a ban on the sale of so-called "nitro cocktails", after Gaby Scanlon fell ill when she drank two £8.95 nitro Jägermeister drinks at Oscar's wine bar in Lancaster. The cocktail seemingly created a "frozen bomb", burning away her stomach tissue to such an extent that she had to have emergency surgery to remove it. |
| When parliament returns next week, Morris will be calling for a ban on the sale of the cocktails. "I am incredibly angry that such a drink has injured one of my constituents," he said. | When parliament returns next week, Morris will be calling for a ban on the sale of the cocktails. "I am incredibly angry that such a drink has injured one of my constituents," he said. |
| "I would like to see these drinks banned from sale so we do not see anyone else's son or daughter injured – or even killed." | "I would like to see these drinks banned from sale so we do not see anyone else's son or daughter injured – or even killed." |
| Prof Mark Bellis, director of the centre for public health at Liverpool John Moores University, and one of the UK's leading authorities on alcohol and drug abuse, told the Guardian: "We have got to remember that the people they are selling these drinks to are often vulnerable as they are already intoxicated. It can be seen as a way of exploiting a very vulnerable population." | Prof Mark Bellis, director of the centre for public health at Liverpool John Moores University, and one of the UK's leading authorities on alcohol and drug abuse, told the Guardian: "We have got to remember that the people they are selling these drinks to are often vulnerable as they are already intoxicated. It can be seen as a way of exploiting a very vulnerable population." |
| He said that other forms of "extreme drinking" included "soaking tampons with alcohol, nebulising it or pouring it into their eyes". | He said that other forms of "extreme drinking" included "soaking tampons with alcohol, nebulising it or pouring it into their eyes". |
| There has been much debate about whether imbibing alcohol this way is a real phenomenon or an urban myth, but Bellis believes these extreme activities do take place. "People are at real risk and we have to make sure the industry doesn't exploit vulnerable people," he added. | There has been much debate about whether imbibing alcohol this way is a real phenomenon or an urban myth, but Bellis believes these extreme activities do take place. "People are at real risk and we have to make sure the industry doesn't exploit vulnerable people," he added. |
| Lancashire police, which is investigating the case, said that if Scanlon had not been operated on quickly she would have died. The boiling point of nitrogen is minus 196C and it is stored at very low temperatures. | Lancashire police, which is investigating the case, said that if Scanlon had not been operated on quickly she would have died. The boiling point of nitrogen is minus 196C and it is stored at very low temperatures. |
| In Manchester, the Alchemist bar sells cocktails including a Dry Iced Tea cocktail with a teapot of dry ice, but staff point out that it has a much higher boiling point (at -57C) than nitrogen, so is safer. "We use a variety of molecular drinks-making techniques to surprise, baffle and confound your tastebuds," it says on its drinks menu. | In Manchester, the Alchemist bar sells cocktails including a Dry Iced Tea cocktail with a teapot of dry ice, but staff point out that it has a much higher boiling point (at -57C) than nitrogen, so is safer. "We use a variety of molecular drinks-making techniques to surprise, baffle and confound your tastebuds," it says on its drinks menu. |
| A video on YouTube showing a man pouring vodka into his eyes has been viewed more than 50,000 times. And Prince Harry was criticised in 2007 for taking part in the potentially lethal vodka snorting drinking game. He was captured on video inhaling the spirit amid cheers from his friends. | A video on YouTube showing a man pouring vodka into his eyes has been viewed more than 50,000 times. And Prince Harry was criticised in 2007 for taking part in the potentially lethal vodka snorting drinking game. He was captured on video inhaling the spirit amid cheers from his friends. |
| Vodka snorting has potentially serious health risks. The Royal College of Physicians said it contained additives that could cause an allergic reaction and damage the lungs and mucus membranes of the nose and trachea. | Vodka snorting has potentially serious health risks. The Royal College of Physicians said it contained additives that could cause an allergic reaction and damage the lungs and mucus membranes of the nose and trachea. |
| Nebulising involves putting alcohol in a nebuliser and smoking the vapour, a bit like a hookah. | Nebulising involves putting alcohol in a nebuliser and smoking the vapour, a bit like a hookah. |
| Dr John Ashton, director of public health for Cumbria, said Scanlon was a victim of a dangerous gimmick used to sell more alcohol and the "irresponsible alcohol industry" that he said was now competing in this way. Public houses should not be playing with chemistry, he said. | Dr John Ashton, director of public health for Cumbria, said Scanlon was a victim of a dangerous gimmick used to sell more alcohol and the "irresponsible alcohol industry" that he said was now competing in this way. Public houses should not be playing with chemistry, he said. |
| He said there should be stringent regulation and questioned why more MPs were not challenging the drinks industry. The cocktails with liquid nitrogen were being promoted as glamorous or somehow reminiscent of celebrity culture, he said, and it had begun to affect the high street. "She was drinking the cocktail in a licensed premises. It's not as if she was on the edge of society and it's not her fault. It seems that the agencies seem to be abdicating responsibility for what happened." The response by the statutory authorities illustrated how fragmented Lancashire's public health services were, he added. | He said there should be stringent regulation and questioned why more MPs were not challenging the drinks industry. The cocktails with liquid nitrogen were being promoted as glamorous or somehow reminiscent of celebrity culture, he said, and it had begun to affect the high street. "She was drinking the cocktail in a licensed premises. It's not as if she was on the edge of society and it's not her fault. It seems that the agencies seem to be abdicating responsibility for what happened." The response by the statutory authorities illustrated how fragmented Lancashire's public health services were, he added. |
| Mike Fallon of the Barrow and District Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) said: "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know that if you put an ice cube on your tongue, it will stick to you. Liquid nitrogen will stick to your stomach. I don't know why you would put it in drinks. It is ridiculous. | Mike Fallon of the Barrow and District Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) said: "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know that if you put an ice cube on your tongue, it will stick to you. Liquid nitrogen will stick to your stomach. I don't know why you would put it in drinks. It is ridiculous. |
| "We have been ringing round pubs and clubs in our LVA area and I am sure they will keep a safe house. We don't want anything to do with liquid nitrogen. It is definitely a no-go area." | "We have been ringing round pubs and clubs in our LVA area and I am sure they will keep a safe house. We don't want anything to do with liquid nitrogen. It is definitely a no-go area." |
| However, Chris Shaw, owner of 20 Bar in Dalton, was defiant. He believes it is acceptable to use liquid nitrogen if it is handled properly. "It's only the same as setting cocktails alight, but obviously people are aware of the risks of fire and use it safely," he said. | However, Chris Shaw, owner of 20 Bar in Dalton, was defiant. He believes it is acceptable to use liquid nitrogen if it is handled properly. "It's only the same as setting cocktails alight, but obviously people are aware of the risks of fire and use it safely," he said. |
| Scanlan's stepfather, Ian Henshall, 40, said the family were hoping for a quick recovery. "She is our main concern at the moment and we are just concentrating on her getting better," he said. | Scanlan's stepfather, Ian Henshall, 40, said the family were hoping for a quick recovery. "She is our main concern at the moment and we are just concentrating on her getting better," he said. |
| Oscar's wine bars in Lancaster and York have ceased serving liquid nitrogen cocktails and are "tremendously concerned" for Scanlon's welfare. | Oscar's wine bars in Lancaster and York have ceased serving liquid nitrogen cocktails and are "tremendously concerned" for Scanlon's welfare. |
| In a statement, they said: "This unfortunate incident is part of an ongoing police investigation and as such we cannot make any comments other than to say that we are tremendously concerned for the person involved and our heartfelt best wishes go to them and their family at this distressing time." | In a statement, they said: "This unfortunate incident is part of an ongoing police investigation and as such we cannot make any comments other than to say that we are tremendously concerned for the person involved and our heartfelt best wishes go to them and their family at this distressing time." |
| Andrew and Sally Dunn, the company's directors, also own Oscar's in Swinegate, York. They began selling nitro cocktails in February, with the staff apparently trained to safely handle the substance. A notice outside the York bar said they were not being served until further notice "after something had happened elsewhere". | Andrew and Sally Dunn, the company's directors, also own Oscar's in Swinegate, York. They began selling nitro cocktails in February, with the staff apparently trained to safely handle the substance. A notice outside the York bar said they were not being served until further notice "after something had happened elsewhere". |
| The councillor Paul Aitchison, chairman of Lancaster city council's Licensing Act committee, was at the Lancaster bar a few months ago and tried the cocktail, with no ill-effects. He said: "I have actually tried it myself – I thought it sounded interesting. That's probably one of the draws. You assume the drinks served in licensed premises will be safe. | The councillor Paul Aitchison, chairman of Lancaster city council's Licensing Act committee, was at the Lancaster bar a few months ago and tried the cocktail, with no ill-effects. He said: "I have actually tried it myself – I thought it sounded interesting. That's probably one of the draws. You assume the drinks served in licensed premises will be safe. |
| "It was quite scary to think that it could have possibly happened to me." He said he was sure there would be a national safety debate. | "It was quite scary to think that it could have possibly happened to me." He said he was sure there would be a national safety debate. |
| Aitchison said the council's cabinet had called for the health secretary to investigate the matter and called for steps to be taken to limit the selling of such cocktails "and this includes a possible ban." | Aitchison said the council's cabinet had called for the health secretary to investigate the matter and called for steps to be taken to limit the selling of such cocktails "and this includes a possible ban." |
| Lancashire police said the investigation was in its early stages and the premises involved had fully co-operated with all agencies. | Lancashire police said the investigation was in its early stages and the premises involved had fully co-operated with all agencies. |
| The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that although liquid nitrogen was not a toxic substance, it was unsafe to drink and eat as the human body was unable to cope with such a cold internal temperature. Colin Houston, the FSA head of incident management, said there were safety and handling guidelines around the use of liquid nitrogen, especially with food. | The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that although liquid nitrogen was not a toxic substance, it was unsafe to drink and eat as the human body was unable to cope with such a cold internal temperature. Colin Houston, the FSA head of incident management, said there were safety and handling guidelines around the use of liquid nitrogen, especially with food. |
| "It is the business owner's responsibility to make sure their staff have been trained and are aware of the potential risks of using liquid nitrogen," he said. "They also have to have appropriate safety measures in place to protect both their staff and consumers." | "It is the business owner's responsibility to make sure their staff have been trained and are aware of the potential risks of using liquid nitrogen," he said. "They also have to have appropriate safety measures in place to protect both their staff and consumers." |
| He said the FSA would be making local enforcement officers aware of the use of liquid nitrogen in cocktails and it would be something officers could incorporate as part of their inspection regime. The FSA is also working with other departments and agencies to investigate the issue and whether they need to take further action. | He said the FSA would be making local enforcement officers aware of the use of liquid nitrogen in cocktails and it would be something officers could incorporate as part of their inspection regime. The FSA is also working with other departments and agencies to investigate the issue and whether they need to take further action. |
| Despite her horrific injuries, Scanlon is said to be doing well this week after surgery. According to friends in the village of Heysham, near Lancaster, where she lives with her family, she has been moved from critical care to a ward at the Lancaster Royal Infirmary. Initially, she had been in a "critical but stable" condition. | Despite her horrific injuries, Scanlon is said to be doing well this week after surgery. According to friends in the village of Heysham, near Lancaster, where she lives with her family, she has been moved from critical care to a ward at the Lancaster Royal Infirmary. Initially, she had been in a "critical but stable" condition. |
| She will have to endure regular vitamin injections and remain on a special diet for the rest of her life. | She will have to endure regular vitamin injections and remain on a special diet for the rest of her life. |
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