Sudbury councillor calls for stricter rules on sales of nitrous oxide after reports of drug use in town

Stricter rules governing the sale of nitrous oxide need to be enforced to prevent young people from misusing the substance as a recreational drug, it has been claimed.

The substance – dubbed as laughing gas due to its psychedelic effect – has become the second most used recreational drug in the UK.

Multiple metal canisters, which are used to store the gas, have been found discarded at various locations in Sudbury.

Voicing concern over the increasing misuse of the substance, town councillor Steve Hall said: “It was disappointing to see evidence, again, that widespread usage of inhaling nitrous oxide is still taking place in Sudbury.”

Inhaling nitrous oxide carries serious health risks, including unconsciousness due to a shortage of oxygen in the brain, with some cases proving fatal.

The gas is widely used as pain relief by the medical profession and in the food industry, which makes it difficult to regulate.

According to the Psychoactive Substances Act, which came into effect in 2016, it is illegal to sell or supply the substance for recreational use.

Despite the change in law, Cllr Hall has argued that, due to a lack of enforcement, individuals have been able to continue flouting the rules.

“It would appear that, because these canisters are used in the catering industry, they are readily available to purchase” he said.

“I’ve seen these canisters in shops for general sale in recent years, without any age restrictions or warnings that the product could be harmful.”

Cllr Hall highlighted that, while some online retailers appeared to be acting responsible in discouraging recreational use, customers were not obliged to justify their reasons for purchasing the canisters.

Reflecting on the importance of implementing further enforcement, Cllr Hall added: “In my opinion, this product needs to be reviewed to see if they should be regulated under similar laws to the sale of alcohol and tobacco.”