The sale and possession of laughing gas is set to be outlawed under new government plans to tackle antisocial behaviour. To be announced next week, the move is part of a crackdown targeting public drug use, fly-tipping and lower-level crimes like graffiti.
LadBible reports Home secretary Suella Braverman will change existing drug misuse laws which will allow law enforcement to prosecute people who are found in possession of nitrous oxide gas - also known as 'hippy crack' - in public. The drug's popularity has soared in recent years, which more than 500,000 young people using it in 2019-20, according to government figures. It has been linked to 36 deaths between 2001 and 2016.
If new laws are approved, those found with the substance face prosecution unless they have a 'legitimate reason' - for example chefs, who use it for whipped cream and chilling food.
