University News Last updated 05 September 2023
The Government “appears to have no regard for expert opinion” after announcing it intends to ban the use of nitrous oxide in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour, a leading public health academic at Birmingham City University (BCU) has warned.
Dr Salim Khan says use of the colourless gas could “very quickly become more widespread” and result in “many more adverse health issues and hospitalisations in young teenagers and adults” unless “a rational considered approach is taken by the Government”.
Dr Khan, Head of College of Life Sciences at BCU, said: “As part of the Government’s plan to tackle anti-social behaviour, it intends to make nitrous oxide a Class C drug and make possession of the gas a criminal offence.
“This goes against the advice of the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which made it clear that nitrous oxide should not be banned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
“The Government appears to have no regard for expert opinion and is intent on making it a criminal offence to be in possession of nitrous oxide.”
Used as an analgesic in medicine and dentistry, nitrous oxide is also one of the most commonly used drugs amongst 16 to 24-year-olds.
Often inhaled using a balloon, it can make people light-headed, relaxed, giggly or dizzy. It can also cause headaches and make some users anxious or paranoid.
Too much nitrous oxide can make a person faint or lose consciousness, while intensive use of the gas can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause neurological damage.
The use of nitrous oxide has been blamed on anti-social behaviour, but Dr Khan says there is a lack of supporting evidence.
“In addition, the number of deaths and demand for treatment for problematic use of nitrous oxide remains low compared with other drugs,” he said.
“Evidence suggests that there is around one death per year in the UK from one million nitrous oxide users, compared with 700 deaths per year from one million users of alcohol.”
Dr Khan added: “So what is the best way to curb nitrous oxide use amongst young teenagers and adults? Well, there is no ideal approach.
“However, a blanket ban is not the solution as this could result in users relying on suppliers akin to those who provide illegal drugs. A multi-pronged approach is necessary to reduce nitrous oxide use amongst those aged 16 to 24.”
Dr Khan said possible interventions include a national education programme - coupled with relevant media exposure – to clearly demonstrate the harm nitrous oxide can have on the body.
He believes that retailers selling nitrous oxide canisters must take reasonable steps to make sure they are aware of the potential misuse of psychoactive substances.
He also says the sale of large volumes of nitrous oxide must be limited and audited, unless it is sold to a recognised consumer who, say, uses the gas to make whipped cream.
“What is very clear is that unless a rational considered approach is taken by the Government, the use of nitrous oxide could very quickly become more widespread, resulting in many more adverse health issues and hospitalisations in young teenagers and adults,” said Dr Khan.