Possession of laughing gas for the purpose of obtaining a psychoactive high became illegal in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, with serial offenders facing up to two years in jail and dealers facing up to 14 years.
Small canisters of nitrous oxide have been increasingly popular in recent decades, as young people, in particular, consume the chemical recreationally for a rapid high.
Doctors warn that prolonged usage can result in anaemia, nerve damage, and spinal injuries, while the canisters have littered portions of urban and suburban Britain and have been linked to anti-social activity.
The prohibition, first suggested by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government in March and now enacted under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, is part of a larger drive on lawlessness before of next year’s general election.
The ruling Tories appear to hope their traditional standing as the party of strong law and order policies can help them overcome a big polling deficit with the main Labour opposition.
“Today we are sending a clear signal to people, especially young people, that not only is abuse of nitrous oxide dangerous to their health, but it is also illegal,” policing minister Chris Philp said.
“For too long the use of this drug in public spaces has contributed to anti-social behaviour which is a blight on communities. We will not accept it,” he added.
He said that police now have “the powers they need to take a zero-tolerance approach to this crime,” warning those caught possessing nitrous oxide “will face consequences”.
British law already bans the “knowing or reckless” supply of nitrous oxide for inhalation outside of medical uses. But the canisters have become easily available online and on the streets.
Under the new powers, possessing the drug with the intent to “wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect” is an offence, the interior ministry said.
Those breaching the law could face an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment, or a caution visible on their criminal record.
Serious repeat offenders could be jailed.
The maximum sentence for production, supply importation or exportation of the drug for unlawful purposes has been doubled, from seven to 14 years’ imprisonment.
Nitrous oxide has long been used in healthcare, catering and other industries, and those with a legitimate reason for possessing the substance are exempt from the ban, the ministry noted.