British holidaymakers travelling to Cyprus have been urged to make themselves aware of a change in the law that could see them land a hefty punishment.
The European island has a far stricter policy on illegal drugs than the UK, and the country's zero-tolerance approach to narcotics has now been tightened even further to include nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. The colourless gas is typically found in small metal canisters, and is usually inhaled using a balloon.
It's not illegal to possess laughing gas in the UK, although it is illegal to supply it under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and selling it or giving it away can land you up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. However, this is not the case in Cyprus, where you can now face a huge fine or prison sentence for possession of the gas.
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The Foreign Office updated its advice for people travelling to Cyprus this week to take the new area of the law into account. It now warns holidaymakers: "Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards illegal drugs, which now includes laughing gas.
"If you are caught with any type of narcotic you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine. The rules against possession of illegal drugs are stricter than in the UK."
The gas gets its nickname from one of its effects, where users can find themselves in fits of giggles and laughter, and it's also known to produce feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness, according to Talk to Frank. However, it can also cause intense feelings of paranoia, as well as dizziness, headaches, and sound distortions or hallucinations.
It can be difficult to judge how much laughing gas to use safely, and having too much can be very dangerous and has proven fatal - there were 56 deaths associated with the gas between 2001 and 2020, including in medical settings. Read more about the risks of laughing gas on the Talk to Frank website.
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