Arlina Arshad, Jakarta – The death of popular Indonesian social media influencer Lula Lahfah has thrown a little-known kitchen gas into the national spotlight.

In her South Jakarta flat, police found a canister of nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas", which is used to aerate whipped cream, mousse and dessert toppings.

The 26-year-old's death on Jan 23 prompted the authorities and the public alike to confront a stark reality: A product designed for kitchens had found a second life as a party inhalant.

Ms Lula's cause of death has not been confirmed, as her family declined an autopsy, but Indonesian police have ruled out foul play or an overdose.

In the weeks before she died, Ms Lula had been in hospital for various ailments, including, she had said, diarrhoea, a urinary tract infection, inflamed intestines, kidney stones and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Whip Pink, the Indonesian brand behind the gas canisters, is managed by PT Suplaindo Sukses Sejahtera, although its ownership remains unknown. Product prices range from 530,000 rupiah (S$40) to 1,900,000 rupiah depending on size.

Originally marketed for chefs and dessert makers, the product has quietly circulated in Jakarta's nightlife scene with little regulatory scrutiny.

Following Ms Lula's death, the National Police Criminal Investigation Department mobilised alongside the Health Ministry and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency to tighten oversight.

The authorities said discussions are under way across agencies, but no timeline has been set for new rules or interim enforcement measures.

Recreational use of nitrous oxide at high levels can lead to hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, putting users at risk of fainting, brain damage or sudden death.

At a press conference on Jan 30, Senior Commissioner Zulkarnain Harahap from the police narcotics crime directorate said existing laws do not cover recreational use of the gas, complicating enforcement.

In Indonesia, nitrous oxide is regulated for hospital anaesthesia and culinary applications under a 2016 Health Ministry regulation on medical gases and a 2019 Food and Drug Authority rule on food additives.

The authorities are now exploring whether the 2023 Health Law can be applied more precisely, and whether nitrous oxide should be added to the annex of the 2009 Narcotics Law. "The process is still under formulation," Mr Zulkarnain said.

He warned against the assumption that nitrous oxide is safe because its effects are short-lived. "That understanding is incorrect and carries high risks, as the use of nitrous oxide can endanger the body," he said.

Although forensic tests found Ms Lula's DNA and fingerprints on an empty nitrous oxide canister, the police have not concluded that the gas caused or contributed to her death.

This has nonetheless drawn attention to a broader trend: recreational nitrous oxide use spreading from Bali's tourist hubs to Jakarta's private nightlife venues.

A 36-year-old renewable energy entrepreneur who goes clubbing frequently said Whip Pink is typically used in private clubs and KTV rooms, primarily for VIP members, rather than in open clubs.

The gas is inhaled from balloons costing about 300,000 rupiah to 500,000 rupiah each. "The staff members actually suggest it," said the clubgoer, who asked to be known only as Kenzo.

He said some groups combine balloons with illegal drug-laced pods, which he avoids. "I know a group that combines balloons and pods, but we tend to stay away from them since those pods are pretty much illegal."

Kenzo said the gas can briefly alter behaviour. "One of my good friends is usually an introvert, but after a few balloons, he becomes an extrovert and talks actively, but not for long. He soon looks like he is about to faint, he's trembling, you name it," he said.

Kenzo said this sensation of getting high is commonly described in Indonesian slang as "nge-fly", which literally means "flying".

He added that he tried it himself years ago, but stopped after experiencing a severe headache.

"That is why I do not want to use it any more. Seeing people use it made me question why they wanted to do it at all. One of my friends actually passed out and fell on his face," he said.

Most users in his social circle treat Whip Pink as casual entertainment, he added. "Most of my group use nitrous oxide only for fun, while enjoying the music." He speculated that younger users may be driven by social pressure, but admitted he did not know for sure.

DJ Dinar Candy described her own encounter with the gas on television programme Pagi Pagi Ambyar on Jan 28. "I was once given a balloon while DJ-ing in Jakarta. For those who know, the balloon is caught and inhaled, but I threw it back to the audience," she said. She said waitstaff laughed, while one patron inhaled from the balloon.

Social media marketing has added to the controversy. Several official Instagram posts by the company previously featured astronauts alongside the product, which netizens interpreted as promoting a "floating" or intoxicated effect.

A check by The Straits Times found the posts had been removed, while the official Whip Pink website now carries a disclaimer stating that the product is "intended solely for individuals aged 21 years and above".

"Whip Pink products are exclusively intended for culinary use. Inhalation or any form of misuse is strictly prohibited. Any use of the product outside its intended purpose is the sole responsibility of the user," the disclaimer said.

"Whip Pink shall not be held liable for any loss, damage or consequences arising from misuse of the product."

Indonesia's National Narcotics Agency said the country is lagging behind international efforts to curb recreational nitrous oxide use.

Its chief commissioner, General Suyudi Ario Seto, said on Jan 27 that because the gas is not classified as a narcotic or psychotropic substance, it remains widely available, and cases are difficult to prosecute despite rising misuse.

Nitrous oxide remains legal for food use in many countries, including Singapore. Australia, Belgium and Britain have restricted sales to minors. Britain classified nitrous oxide as a Class C drug in 2023, following 56 deaths in England and Wales between 2001 and 2020, in which the gas was mentioned on death certificates.

In South-east Asia, recreational use of the gas persists. In Laos and Vietnam, the gas is sold in nightlife venues as "Happy Balloons".

In Singapore, police arrested a 37-year-old man on March 29, 2025, on suspicion of being intoxicated with nitrous oxide after stopping him for a rash act offence along Killiney Road.

A separate report in February 2025 described large quantities of canisters unloaded from a luxury car at a condominium. While the last reported addiction case dates to 2017, doctors had told ST they have seen an increase in recent years.

The gas canisters are sold on e-commerce platforms and Telegram groups. Singapore regulates nitrous oxide as a therapeutic product or food additive, but selling an intoxicating substance for intoxication is illegal, with penalties of up to two years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Health authorities warn that inhalation of the gas deprives the body of oxygen and, with repeated exposure, can cause irreversible nerve damage.

Dr Nova Riyanti Yusuf, president director of the National Centre for Mental Health at Marzoeki Mahdi Hospital, said users were chasing a fleeting emotional escape rather than the substance itself.

"What they are chasing is a brief euphoric effect," she told ST. "Because the effect is very brief, they use it repeatedly, and that is what causes psychological dependence. They begin to rely on it to instantly fix their mood."

She said the short-lived high masks serious health risks. In the short term, users may feel light-headed or euphoric, or lose balance, but excessive inhalation can deprive the body of oxygen.

"The risk is hypoxia, or lack of oxygen," she said. "If hypoxia happens, the heart can stop and the brain is also affected."

Repeated use can also disrupt vitamin B12 metabolism, which is critical for the nervous system, she said, leading to tingling, numbness in the fingers and toes, muscle weakness and difficulty walking.

Dr Nova said the appeal of the product lies partly in its harmless image and easy availability. "People can buy anything as long as it is cute," she said, noting that many assume the product is meant only for cakes or coffee.

She said the issue could not be solved through enforcement alone, calling for public education, clearer safety labels, tighter oversight of sales and better mental health support for young people.

"If someone is seeking a brief escape from stress, it means something is not right with their coping mechanism," she said. "The effect is brief, but the risk is not."

Source: https://asianews.network/its-no-laughing-matter-culinary-gas-becomes-deadly-party-trend-in-indonesia