Heartbroken family issues ‘chroming’ trend warning after boy dies surrounded by cans
ArchiveFirst published May 13, 2025. It may not reflect later developments.
A grieving family is warning parents after 13-year-old Nicky Lowther died from “chroming,” a dangerous online trend involving inhaling aerosol fumes to get high. His mother found him unconscious on June 27, surrounded by 12 empty aerosol cans.
Nicky’s aunt, Toni, described him as a funny and “cheeky chappy.” She said, “I’d never heard of chroming before. I heard afterwards about people doing it and dying or making it through the other side.”
Chroming—also known as huffing—involves inhaling substances like deodorant, nail polish, or paint. It can cause severe damage to the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys, and may lead to death. Despite the risks, teens are sharing videos of themselves doing it on social media.
Toni added, “There’s no safe way of inhaling aerosols, it’s dangerous.”
Now, Nicky’s family is campaigning to ban aerosol sales to children. Their petition has over 5,000 signatures.
His aunt said, “Nicky couldn’t be saved, but hopefully his story can save other children.”
