Calls for tighter chroming laws as Pheonix Werner’s mum fights to prevent more deaths

Pheonix Werner’s mum lost her boy to chroming when he was only 14, now she is fighting to better educate youths on the dangers just days after another teen died.

The mother of a 14-year-old boy who died after chroming has called for tighter laws and better education to lessen the chance of other teens losing their lives.

It comes as the warnings on aerosol cans and other solvents are under review amid industry concerns they are not as effective enough.

Many warnings have not changed since the 1980s and 1990s and dozens of children have died, despite the dangers highlighted on products.

Jessica Werner, whose son Pheonix, 14, died after inhaling deodorant with friends at a Norlane house in 2016, has called for tighter laws on the sale of aerosols.

She said the recent death of 13-year-old Esra Haynes could have been avoided if these calls, which include aerosols to be sold behind counters and purchase limits, had been heeded.

Jessica Werner's son Pheonix died in 2016 after inhaling deodorant to get a high. She is pleading for kids not to do the dangerous practise. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Chroming or “huffing”, involves the inhalation of paint, solvents, petrol, aerosols and other chemicals. It can produce a short-term “high” by slowing down messages between the body and brain.

But the practice can also cause chest pain and an irregular heartbeat, even stopping the heart, while long-term it can lead to brain, liver and kidney damage.

Premier Daniel Andrews also admitted on Thursday the state government may need to ramp up education efforts to prevent another chroming tragedy.

The Premier said he would consider launching an education campaign in Victorian schools in the wake of Esra’s death.

“Since Pheonix died almost seven years ago to the day, there has been no education at schools or local sports clubs about the dangers of chroming,” Ms Werner told the Herald Sun.

“I’ve also contacted Unilever who own Rexona several times asking them to remove dangerous chemicals including butane which causes cardiac arrest.

Esra Haynes, 13, who attended Lilydale High School, died on Saturday, April 8 after fighting for her life in hospital. Picture: 9News

“I would like to see anything that has aerosols in it sold behind the counter and ID being presented when purchasing them and for shops to limit how many aerosol cans are purchased.

“They need to act on this now, it has to be treated the same way as pseudoephedrine was in the early 2000s when you needed to present a licence to buy it.”

Ms Werner said the issue of chroming needed to be taken as seriously as vaping in schools.

“Children are going through high school and the government’s main priorities have been against vaping, phones and piercings.

“Chroming is deadly and this is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. It’s happening more than we think at schools, football clubs and at parties.

“These teens want to get a quick high and they’re turning to chroming because it goes undetected and does not stay in your system like other illicit drugs.”

Ms Werner said it was “tragic” for her to see another teen die from chroming.

Pheonix Werner died in 2016 after chroming. Picture: supplied

“It’s just horrible, it’s something that I never wanted to happen here again. No parent or family member deserves to go through what I have gone through and what I still go through.

“Our lives without Pheonix will never be the same again. He was the most loving and kind boy, who stood up for anyone that was suffering, we miss him everyday.

“He really had his whole life ahead of him and this is why the laws need to change as soon as possible, with education of the dangers of chroming being at the forefront in schools.”

Philip Fleming, executive director of the Aerosols Association of Australia, said more than 90 per cent of Australian aerosols had warnings about the dangers of inhaling fumes on them.

But he said the industry supported calls from the NSW coroner Teresa O’Sullivan for an expert panel to review the efficacy of warnings and look into changing the Australian standard with regard to the regulation of dangerous aerosols.

“We are hopeful that in coming months we will see some rewording so the warnings can be made more effective,” Mr Fleming said.

Premier Daniel Andrews admitted the state government may need to do more to educate youths on the dangers of chroming. Picture: NCA NewsWire

More direct warnings in the UK such as “solvent abuse can kill instantly” are also under review due to concerns about the use of terms such as “abuse” and “solvent”.

But he said there was a “limit to what we can do with warnings”.

“We also need more support for parents and one-on-one education,” Mr Fleming said.

Mr Andrews also said on Thursday: “I think that we might need to step up our efforts there.’

“This is a terrible thing.

“I send my best wishes and my condolences to the family of that young person.

“I’ve got kids not much older. It’s every parent’s nightmare.”

Mr Andrews said the government needed to have a “closer look” at ways to combat the rising behaviour.

“If there’s more that we can do there to make sure that every young person knows how dangerous that is and how tragic it can be, then of course we stand ready to do that,” he said.

The Federal Health Minister has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Calls for tighter chroming laws as Pheonix Werner’s mum fights to prevent more deaths