Brain damage, asphyxiation, danger driving and death.

These are just some of the consequences of taking Nitrous Oxide, MPs have warned, amid fears about its “harmless” reputation. 

Nitrous Oxide (N2O), which is also known as ‘hippy crack’ and 'nitty', is a gas sold in canisters and commonly used in the medical and catering industry.

Sold for a cheap price on social media and in shops, it is increasingly being misused by those looking to get high.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

It comes as the T&A joins concerned community leaders and young people to call on the Government to restrict access and introduce tougher laws. 

The British Compressed Gases Association is among those calling for a ban on all consumer sales.

The Netherlands has already banned the sale, import and possession of laughing gas - bar industries which use it legitimately for medical use and the food industry. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sofia Buncy MBE, national co-ordinator at the Khidmat Centre, and Sharat Hussain, youth worker at Mary Magdalene CiC, at the start of their campaign in June 2020Sofia Buncy MBE, national co-ordinator at the Khidmat Centre, and Sharat Hussain, youth worker at Mary Magdalene CiC, at the start of their campaign in June 2020

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East, said: “Over recent years across Bradford and elsewhere in the country, we have seen our roads and public spaces blighted by the increasing litter of leftover nitrous oxide canisters, and we have seen a worrying rise in the number of incidents of teenagers and particularly drivers inhaling nitrous oxide.

“Whilst it is often seen as a harmless recreational drug by those who don’t understand the dangers, it can cause long-term brain damage and can even be fatal as a result of asphyxiation, and when used whilst driving it puts both those inhaling it and other road users at serious risk because it impairs a driver’s cognition and causes dizziness.”

The Labour MP added: “Whilst it’s illegal to be under the influence of nitrous oxide whilst driving, it is far too readily available to the public, and the Government need to look seriously at following the example set by other countries that have restricted the sale of nitrous oxide other than for legitimate medical or catering uses.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shipley MP Philip Davies put written questions to ministers following a T&A report about the rise in N2O drug use. 

The MP asked cabinet members to explain what they had in place to educate people on the dangers of nitrous oxide inhalation, and if they had made an assessment of the use of N20 across the country.

Read more on Nitrous Oxide: 

In response, Kit Malthouse, the then-minister of state for crime, policing and the fire service, said the Government was monitoring the pandemic’s effect on drug use through official sources and partners. 

Almost three years on, N2O is the second most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England.

The Conservative MP said: “Nitrous Oxide use and abuse is a growing problem not just across the Bradford district, but also across the country.

“It can be extremely dangerous and is also a menace for the local community, especially with the mess often left behind.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Three of Bradford's MPs have spoken about the impact of laughing gas - pictured, Imran Hussain, Naz Shah and Philip DaviesThree of Bradford's MPs have spoken about the impact of laughing gas - pictured, Imran Hussain, Naz Shah and Philip Davies (Image: Other)

"I fully understand the frustration of local residents and I hope more will be done to tackle this increasing problem"

Meanwhile Bradford West MP Naz Shah said there is a need to “tackle the dangerous rise in Nitrous Oxide users”. 

The Labour politician said: “The dangers of Nitrous Oxide are sadly grave. There have been many incidents of serious injuries due to the improper use of this substance.

“There has also been reports that people using this Nitrous Oxide ‘laughing gas’ have been involved in causing anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods.

Read more on Nitrous Oxide: 

“In my capacity as Labour’s Shadow Minister Crime Reduction, I will be working with the Labour Home Affairs team to ensure we can tackle the dangerous rise in Nitrous Oxide users.”

Ministers could move to criminalise possession of N2O - unless someone has a “legitimate reason” to have it – and ban it from general sale.

Is laughing gas going to be banned in the UK?

A review - requested by the then-Home Secretary Priti Patel in September 2021 - is currently underway by the UK-wide independent advisory council on the misuse of drugs. 

In response to this article, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Anti-social behaviour causes misery in communities and we are determined to crack down on this scourge to protect our streets. 

“Nitrous Oxide is one of the most commonly-used drug among 16-24-year-olds in England and can have damaging side effects.

“We have been clear we want to see common sense policing to keep our communities safe. That is why we are actively considering a ban on the sale and use of this harmful drug and will ask the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to hasten their delivery of the report we commissioned, which we will carefully consider in reaching any decision.”

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