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Dealers selling laughing gas could face up to 14 years behind bars under rules set to be brought in next month.<\/p>\n
The Home Office has said having nitrous oxide will be banned from November 8. Anyone who is regularly caught with the drug after then could face up to two years in prison.<\/p>\n
The ban, which was promised as part of the Government’s\u00a0Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan and it will make the substance a controlled class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The new laws will make possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it, illegal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Users could receive an unlimited file, a visible community punishment, a caution that would appear on their criminal record, or time in prison, the Home Office said.\u00a0Those with a “legitimate reason” for having the drug will be exempt from the ban.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> MPs overwhelmingly pass new law to ban laughing gas and make it a class C drug<\/strong><\/p>\n The drug is used in maternity wards as a pain relief during labour and is also used in the catering sector. However, nitrous oxide is the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England.<\/p>\n It is often linked to reports of antisocial behaviour – including\u00a0intimidating gatherings on high streets and in children\u2019s parks, and empty canisters strewn across public spaces, the Home Office added. Crime and policing minister Chris Philp said: \u201cWe are delivering on the promise we made to take a zero-tolerance approach towards antisocial behaviour and flagrant drug taking in our public spaces.<\/p>\n \u201cAbuse of nitrous oxide is also dangerous to people\u2019s health and today we are sending a clear signal to young people that there are consequences for misusing drugs. Both users and dealers will face the full force of the law for their actions.\u201d<\/p>\n Waste crews who cleaned up at Notting Hill Carnival in August estimated they collected 13 tonnes of laughing gas canisters from the streets, Kensington and Chelsea Council said.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Nigel Farage erupts at move to ban GB News from Welsh Parliament TVs[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Crews filled five skips with an estimated 12,000-plus canisters.<\/p>\n Chief executive of Night-time Industries Association Michael Kill said: \u201cWe welcome the announcement by the Government today that nitrous oxide is set to be banned under new Government legislation by November 8 but recognise that this must work hand in hand with a much broader education and harm-reduction strategy on drugs across the country.<\/p>\n \u201cThe burden on businesses has been substantial, as they\u2019ve contended with mounting pressure from authorities and residents due to the proliferation of discarded silver canisters on the streets.<\/p>\n \u201cThis predicament has not only posed risks to the wellbeing of both staff and patrons but has also fostered an environment conducive to petty crime, antisocial behaviour and the activities of organised crime syndicates.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/5018220.jpg?r=1697599191381\")
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