What is nitrous oxide? The substance being banned in anti-social behaviour clampdown

Michael Gove has announced the government's plan to ban nitrous oxide in their efforts to clamp down on anti social behaviour. Gove made the announcement today (March 26) on the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show on Sky.

The levelling up secretary confirmed that the ban would be issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 197 but a decision on which class the drug will fall under has not been made.

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Speaking on the show, the levelling up secretary said: "We can't have a situation, we mustn't have a situation where our drugs, our public spaces become drug taking arenas and that is why we need to do crackdown on new manifestations of drug taking.

"These laughing gas canisters are an increasing scourge, and one that has been reported to me as a constituency MP."

What is nitrous oxide?

Commonly known as laughing gas or hippy crack, nitrous oxide has become the second most popular used drug by 16-24 year-olds in the country. Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that is sold in canisters and typically inhaled using a balloon.

The gas is meant to be used by medical experts such as dentists to sedate patients undergoing minor medical procedures. However, over the years local high streets and alleyways have been blighted by discarded canisters dumped by people who have been using the drug recreationally.

According to drug awareness organisation Talk to Frank, taking the drug can make a user feel relaxed, giggly, dizzy, anxious or paranoid. While the common risks can mean the user will feel faint, lose consciousness, or possibly suffocate.

Back in 2020, concerned residents reported the rise in the use of laughing gas among teenagers during the pandemic