Laughing gas ban

The government has announced that possessing nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas or hippy crack or NOS and one of the most-used drugs by UK 16 to 24-year-olds, is to be made a criminal offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The details are expected to be released today as part of a government crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

There will also be tighter controls on retailers to prevent the supply of nitrous oxide for misuse.

It goes against recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) which recently advised against a ban on nitrous oxide.

It is already illegal to produce or supply the gas for its psychoactive effects under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The law makes production, supply and importation of nitrous oxide for human consumption illegal, but not possession.

The plans to combat anti-social behaviour will also give police and councils additional powers to deal with people who are "causing nuisance" by blocking shop doorways, asking for money at cash machines or leaving their belongings on pavements.