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| Laughing-gas makers call for sales ban to stop misuse | Laughing-gas makers call for sales ban to stop misuse |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Small silver canisters have become a familiar sight on the streets of the UK | Small silver canisters have become a familiar sight on the streets of the UK |
| A ban is urgently needed to stop people buying and misusing laughing gas, manufacturers say. | A ban is urgently needed to stop people buying and misusing laughing gas, manufacturers say. |
| The Psychoactive Substances Act already outlaws the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide for inhalation. | |
| But the British Compressed Gases Association has now written to new Home Secretary Suella Braverman, asking for a ban on all direct consumer sales. | But the British Compressed Gases Association has now written to new Home Secretary Suella Braverman, asking for a ban on all direct consumer sales. |
| After cannabis, nitrous oxide is the most commonly misused substance among 16- to 24-year-olds in England. | After cannabis, nitrous oxide is the most commonly misused substance among 16- to 24-year-olds in England. |
| 'I showed son's ashes to people using laughing gas' | 'I showed son's ashes to people using laughing gas' |
| 'A 20-second high isn't worth losing your life over | 'A 20-second high isn't worth losing your life over |
| What is laughing gas? | What is laughing gas? |
| Widely sold in small metal canisters, nitrous oxide is a colourless gas used as a propellant - for example, in whipped-cream dispensers. | Widely sold in small metal canisters, nitrous oxide is a colourless gas used as a propellant - for example, in whipped-cream dispensers. |
| Nitrous oxide is sold in metal cannisters | Nitrous oxide is sold in metal cannisters |
| Nitrous oxide is sold in metal cannisters | Nitrous oxide is sold in metal cannisters |
| Hospitals and dental practices also use big cannisters of it as an anaesthetic patients inhale. | Hospitals and dental practices also use big cannisters of it as an anaesthetic patients inhale. |
| Some of those who misuse the substance - sometimes referred to as "hippy crack" - inhale it via a balloon or use a dispenser or "cracker". | Some of those who misuse the substance - sometimes referred to as "hippy crack" - inhale it via a balloon or use a dispenser or "cracker". |
| Heavy regular use can lead to a vitamin deficiency that can cause serious permanent nerve damage and lasting paralysis. | Heavy regular use can lead to a vitamin deficiency that can cause serious permanent nerve damage and lasting paralysis. |
| But inhaling the gas directly from a large canister is particularly dangerous and can be fatal because it is under such high pressure and comes out extremely cold, which can: | But inhaling the gas directly from a large canister is particularly dangerous and can be fatal because it is under such high pressure and comes out extremely cold, which can: |
| damage the throat and lungs | damage the throat and lungs |
| halt breathing | halt breathing |
| slow the heart to a dangerous level | slow the heart to a dangerous level |
| A Home Office official said: "It is unlawful to supply nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects, with offenders potentially facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. | A Home Office official said: "It is unlawful to supply nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects, with offenders potentially facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. |
| "Given concerns about the use of nitrous oxide by young people, the former home secretary sought advice from the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) last year. | "Given concerns about the use of nitrous oxide by young people, the former home secretary sought advice from the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) last year. |
| "When the ACMD responds, the government will consider the advice carefully." | "When the ACMD responds, the government will consider the advice carefully." |
| The ACMD is considering whether the gas should fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which covers to substances such as cocaine, cannabis and sleeping pills. | The ACMD is considering whether the gas should fall under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which covers to substances such as cocaine, cannabis and sleeping pills. |