Boy dies after suspected huffing incident in Kuopio, Finland

A seventh-grade boy was found unconscious last week in Kuopio and later died in the hospital. Police suspect that the boy was inhaling deodorant, a practice known as “huffing,” which involves inhaling solvents or gases to achieve intoxication. Experts have discussed the dangers associated with this behavior, emphasizing the risks of suffocation and brain damage.

According to Atte Virolainen, an addiction specialist, and Ulriika Sundell, medical director of A-Clinic, while they are not familiar with the specific case in Kuopio, they note that aerosol deodorants typically contain butane as a propellant, which can be inhaled for intoxication. Instead of applying deodorant to the body, users spray it into their lungs, which creates a significant health risk.

Huffing can displace oxygen in the lungs, posing immediate suffocation risks, and can also kill nerve cells in the brain, potentially leading to long-term cognitive deficits. The euphoric effects resemble alcohol intoxication, surfacing within minutes and lasting up to an hour, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

There has been a recent increase in the availability of nitrous oxide canisters across Finland, leading to a lower threshold for young users to experiment with other inhalants once they have tried one. While the majority of youth do not engage in huffing, those with underlying issues may be more susceptible. Huffing trends have fluctuated over the years, with notable spikes occurring in Finland during the 1980s and 1990s.

A recent survey suggests that huffing has become more common in recent years, possibly influenced by videos circulating on social media.