Police believe that a 14-year-old girl who fainted and died of cardiac arrest on Friday was sniffing lighter fuel with a friend on the roof of the Qawra department where she lived shortly before her death.
Toxicology tests will confirm whether Shanice Muscat’s sudden heart problem was triggered by inhaling butane gas emitted by the lighter refill can.
If confirmed, this would be the first death on record caused by sniffing such inhalants which are popular among teenagers, said George Grech, clinical director of the Government’s rehabilitation agency Sedqa.
Over the years there has been an increase in the use of inhalants among teenagers, such as glue and lighter fuel. Youngsters sniff these gases as a cheap and accessible way of getting high.
The problem has caught the attention of the Government which is working on a new law banning the sale of inhalants to under 18s.
Sources said Ms Muscat and her friend were suspected of sniffing gas from a lighter fuel refill can on Friday afternoon, when Ms Muscat lost consciousness.
Her friend panicked and started shouting. Ms Muscat’s mother, who was in the apartment on the block’s top floor, heard the screams and ran upstairs to see what happened.
She saw her daughter lying on the ground and called an ambulance which took the teenager to hospital at about 6.30pm. However the girl died shortly afterwards.
14%
the number of Fifth Form students who use inhalants to get high
An autopsy carried out yesterday showed Ms Muscat died from cardio-respiratory failure, or cardiac arrest. Toxicology tests still have to be carried out.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Dr Grech said a number of deaths resulting from sniffing inhalants had been recorded abroad.
“It is very dangerous. There are a lot of medical complications. It can affect the heart rhythm and one can go into cardiac arrest. It can also cause a brain haemorrhage or a stroke,” Dr Grech warned.
The 2011 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) showed that about 14 per cent of Fifth Form students used inhalants. This almost doubled from the nine per cent recorded in 2007.
In June, Justice Minister Chris Said announced that a new legal notice would make it illegal for under-18s to buy gas lighters as the Government took a first step to combat the high use of inhalants.
A ministry spokesman yesterday said that towards the end of June, the regulations were passed on to the Council of Health for its expert opinion and suggestions.
The regulations were now being finalised and a legal notice is expected to bring into force these regulations shortly, he said.
A memorial page was set up on Facebook for Ms Muscat where people posted their messages of condolences.
“Shanice, people are saying you died after sniffing gas to get high… People, enjoy life and appreciate what you have. One day you might get high and enjoy it, but another day might end badly as in this case,” one woman wrote.