LAUGHING gas will be made illegal within weeks – with serious users facing two years behind bars.
And jail terms for yobs who deal nitrous oxide are being doubled to 14 years as part of an anti-social behaviour crackdown enforced from November 8.
Ministers are today laying down laws to make the drug a Class C substance meaning possession for anyone intending to get high is an offence.
Punishment ranges from an unlimited fine, community service, a caution and a two-year prison sentence for repeat offenders.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman ordered a blitz on the laughing gas amid links to louts gathering in children’s parks – and leaving the cans littered on the ground.
Health risks like anaemia, nerve damage and even paralysis have been linked to nitrous oxide.
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Policing Minister Chris Philp said: “We are delivering on the promise we made to take a zero-tolerance approach towards antisocial behaviour and flagrant drug taking in our public spaces.
“Abuse of nitrous oxide is also dangerous to people’s 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.”
Nitrous oxide will still have legitimate uses such as in kitchens and in maternity wards for pain relief for mums in labour.
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People will not need a licence to carry the substance but will need to prove they do not intend to use it for psychoactive effects.
Neighbourhood Watch CEO John Hayward-Cripps said: “As consumption of nitrous oxide has increased over the years, there has been a connected increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, including the littering of nitrous oxide canisters.
“For communities across the country, the banning of the substance under new legislation will be a positive move towards tackling anti-social behaviour, and making local communities a better and safer place to live.”
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