Most 'sniffing' is experimental and takes place before the age of 16. Only a few experimental 'sniffers' become regular, long-term users. The number of deaths in 1996 was 75. Gas lighter fuels were responsible for 46 of these deaths, aerosols 12 and glues 5. The number of deaths recorded in 1978 was 17, with a peak of 151 in 1990.
Most deaths occur suddenly.
Volatile substance use is widely practised among the estimated 100 million street children worldwide. The substances are fairly cheap and easily available, they can help the children to stay alert to possible violence, and they can help them forget about the lack of food. In Uganda street children gulp the fumes of aviation fuel and petrol. In Guatemala paint thinner and cheap glues are used In South Africa a survey showed that street children had high levels of brain damage, an inability to think or speak properly, remember things or physically co-ordinate their movements due to volatile substance use. It's there, it's easily available and it's cheap.