Inhalant use among young people has increased rapidly in Kanta-Häme – dangerous situations have led to a need for medical care.

In Kanta-Häme there has been a clear increase in young people’s huffing (inhalant misuse) in recent months. The phenomenon has caused situations that threaten young people’s health and has also created a need for treatment. Oma Häme and the municipality of Janakkala urge parents, caregivers and professionals who work with young people to raise the issue of huffing with young people.

Huffing refers to the inhalation of solvents, aerosols and other chemicals for the purpose of intoxication. These can be ordinary everyday products, but their misuse can cause serious health harms, permanent damage and, in the worst cases, sudden death.
In Kanta-Häme the phenomenon has been observed especially among 13–17-year-olds.

– Huffing has increased significantly within a short period among young people in the Kanta-Häme area and has caused situations that threaten young people’s health and a need for treatment. The phenomenon appears to have increased throughout the wellbeing services county and among young people of different ages, says Chief Physician of youth psychiatry Essi Palomäki from Oma Häme.

The effects of huffing begin quickly, but there are significant risks associated with it. It can cause, for example, heart arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness and a risk of choking. Even a single use can lead to a life-threatening situation.
Long-term use can damage the brain, liver and kidneys and cause mood changes, memory problems and learning difficulties. Huffing is especially harmful to young people’s developing brains, as some of the changes can be permanent.

The phenomenon does not concern only one group of young people. Huffing can occur among many different kinds of young people, and its background may include, for example, curiosity, peer pressure, anxiety or a mistaken belief that the substances are harmless. Content spreading on social media can also lower the threshold for trying it and create the impression that it is a harmless experiment.

Talk to the young person about huffing

It is important now that parents, caregivers and professionals working with young people bring up huffing with children and young people. The matter should be discussed calmly and directly, and it should be explained that the misuse of ordinary products available at home or in shops can also be life-threatening.

– Huffing is not a harmless experiment. It is extremely important now that parents, caregivers and professionals working with young people take up the matter with children and young people. For the safety of young people, it is important to talk about the phenomenon and it must be addressed early, says specialist in preventive substance abuse work Anna Kenni from Oma Häme.

You can ask the young person directly whether they know about huffing, whether the phenomenon has come up in their circle of friends or on social media, and whether they have tried it themselves. If a young person says they have tried huffing or an adult is worried about a young person’s substance use, help should be sought at a low threshold.

If a young person or a parent is worried about substance use, you can contact your school or student health services.
If a young person has inhaled chemicals for the purpose of intoxication and their condition has deteriorated, they are unconscious, breathing poorly or the situation otherwise appears life-threatening, call the emergency number 112.