Laughing gas could be banned from sale in antisocial behaviour crackdown

There are concerns over health effects of inhalation but exemptions would apply for ‘legitimate reason’ to buy nitrous oxide

Laughing gas could be banned from general sale with possession potentially criminalised unless someone has a “legitimate reason” to have it, according to reports.

Ministers are thought to be considering the move as part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour, the Times has reported. After cannabis, laughing gas is the most commonly used drug among 16- to 24-year-olds in England.