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| Drug News |
Nightclubs and festivals selling laughing gas may face prosecution
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and LACORS, the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services have warned today that nightclubs and music festivals that sell nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may be prosecuted.The sale of nitrous oxide for food related purposes (ie. whipping cream) is legal but its supply for inhalation is strictly illegal. The gas can only be supplied in this form by a registered pharmacist.
LACORS has written to councils across the UK, recommending that they warn nightclubs, festival organisers, and bars in their municipality of the status of Nitrous Oxide. Councils that find venues to be in breach of this warning would then report them to the MHRA, and potentially prosecute them.
The warning comes after at least two nitrous oxide-related deaths in the UK in recent months. Users may perceive the drug to be harmless, but there are both short and long term health effects to consider.
Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, welcomed the actions of the MHRA and LACORS:
"Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it is more often known, is by no means a risk free drug, and when used outside of a controlled medical setting it can be dangerous. Nitrous oxide replaces oxygen in the lungs. If taken in sufficient quantities and at a high enough concentration, it can lead to fatal asphyxiation.
"If the gas is inhaled directly from a canister, the pressure of the gas can cause damage to the lungs and may even freeze the throat, mouth or vocal chords - which may in itself lead to suffocation. Inhaling the gas significantly impairs motor control, meaning the user may fall, choke or vomit.
"Longer term, it has been suggested that regular use of the gas can cause depression and may also have an effect on red blood cells leading to anaemia."
Source: www.mhra.gov.uk |
