Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, will be banned and classified as a Class C drug by the end of the year according to the government. Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated that the British people are tired of individuals abusing drugs in public areas and leaving behind a disgraceful mess for others to clean up. She added that a zero-tolerance approach to antisocial behavior was promised earlier this year and will now be enforced. Those caught using laughing gas as a drug may face hefty fines or even jail time.
Nitrous oxide is a gas often sold in small silver canisters, which are then squirted into balloons and inhaled. In January, Dr. David Nicholl, the clinical lead for neurology at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, urged the government to ban nitrous oxide, citing its escalating dangers. He explained that it can lead to hypoxia and has resulted in deaths, blindness, neuropathy, and difficulty walking among users.
In March, the government announced plans to criminalize nitrous oxide and restrict its sale. While it is commonly used as an anesthetic in medical and dental settings, as well as a gas for whipped cream, there has been a surge in recreational use among young people in recent years. In a tragic incident, three young people died in a car crash near Cardiff, and it was later revealed they had consumed nitrous oxide beforehand.
The Home Office has released a statement declaring that possession of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, will be illegal by the end of the year. Secondary legislation has been introduced to categorize nitrous oxide as a Class C substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This change is expected to come into effect by the end of the year. Nitrous oxide is particularly popular among young people aged 16-24 in England, and its misuse often leads to the littering of empty canisters in public spaces.
Regular use of nitrous oxide can result in vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia, nerve damage, or paralysis. The Home Office warns that unlawful possession of nitrous oxide may lead to up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine, while suppliers and producers who sell it for criminal purposes may face up to 14 years in jail.
Crime and policing minister Chris Philp emphasizes that there must be consequences for misusing drugs and addresses the danger posed to people’s health by abusing laughing gas. He asserts that those profiting from selling nitrous oxide to young people will have no place to hide. The Night Time Industries Association CEO, Michael Kill, welcomes the government’s ban but calls for a comprehensive education and harm reduction strategy alongside the legislation to tackle drug-related challenges effectively.