The misuse of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, could land people behind bars for two years (Picture: PA)

Laughing gas, a go-to anaesthesia for clinicians sometimes used as a casual party drug, will become illegal in November.

Dealers could face up to 14 years in jail for handing out the gas, also called balloons, Nos, whippets and medically known as nitrous oxide.

The Home Office said having nitrous oxide will be banned from November 8 as a Class C drug.

Serious repeat offenders could be thrown behind bars for up to two years.

Long-promised legislation laid out today would mean having nitrous oxide with the intention to wrongfully inhale it will become an offence.

Unlimited fines, visible community service, a caution which would appear on their criminal record and jail time are among the punishments, the department said.

MPs voted on the ban last month (Picture: NIELS WENSTEDT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

However those with legitimate reasons to use the substance – such as in maternity wards and catering – will be exempt from the ban.

MPs voted overwhelmingly to have it categorised as a controlled class C drug, by 404 votes to 36, last month.

Though, a report earlier this by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) stopped short of recommending the recreational drug be banned altogether.

Sanctions for offences under the tweaked Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 would be disproportionate to the harm of laughing gas, the council said.

Users would also face ‘significant burdens’, such as struggling to seek medical help.

The clue is in the name with what inhaling laughing gas can do – people feel a minute-long bout of relaxation, distortions and paranoia on top of headaches.

A body which advises the government on drug policy recommended against an outright laughing gas ban (Picture: Getty Images)

The gas is a rapid-acting inhaled form of anaesthesia, often used in dental clinics and childbirth. It’s also used as a propellant for canned whipped cream.

Health experts say the inhalent is safe in small doses – if used frequently, however, it’s a different story.

The gas can switch off vitamin B12, making the Swiss army knife nutrient that does everything from helping bodies make DNA to red blood cells useless.

If left untreated, B12 deficiency can cause permanent spinal cord and nervous system damage. 

Nitrous oxide is responsible for few overdose or misuse drug deaths each year compared to others – between 2001 and 2020 there were 56 deaths involving the gas in England and Wales.

Nitrous oxide is the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England, though its usage has been declining. According to the Global Durg Survey, it was the 14th most popular drug in the world in 2021.

The drug is often safely used by dentists and maternity ward workers (Picture: Getty Images)

Empty canisters littering parks, high streets, raves and music festivals all too familiar to police, the Home Office says, adding that the drug has been tied to anti-social behaviour.

The ACMD said it struggled to find ‘significant reports’, however, of laughing gas taking up ‘significant’ police time or being tied to crime syndicates.

Crime and policing minister Chris Philp said of the ban: ‘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.’

Chief executive of Night-time Industries Association Michael Kill added: ‘We welcome the announcement by the government today that nitrous oxide is set to be banned under new Government legislation by November 8 but recognise that this must work hand in hand with a much broader education and harm-reduction strategy on drugs across the country.

‘The burden on businesses has been substantial, as they’ve contended with mounting pressure from authorities and residents due to the proliferation of discarded silver canisters on the streets.

‘This predicament has not only posed risks to the wellbeing of both staff and patrons but has also fostered an environment conducive to petty crime, antisocial behaviour and the activities of organised crime syndicates.’

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The drug is no laughing matter, the government says.