Britain has implemented a ban on the recreational use and possession of nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘laughing gas,’ due to its association with antisocial behaviour. This ban, which took effect on Wednesday, involves severe penalties for those caught producing, supplying, or selling the substance, including lengthy prison sentences. Nitrous oxide is popular, especially among young people, for its euphoric and dissociative effects, but the government expressed concerns about its contribution to troublesome behavior and health risks.
Under the new regulations, repeat offenders of laughing gas misuse could face fines or up to 2 years in prison, and those involved in dealing the drug may now be sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in jail, double the previous punishment. Nitrous oxide ranks as the third most commonly used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds, with heavy use potentially leading to health issues, including anaemia and, in severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis.
The ban does not affect the legitimate use of nitrous oxide in healthcare, dentistry, or various industries, and users will not need licenses but must prove lawful possession without intent to inhale it. The classification of nitrous oxide will be as a “Class C” drug, categorizing it as one of the least harmful substances according to British law, alongside anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines, and growth hormones.
