London borough bans ‘laughing gas’ nitrous oxide over anti-social behaviour
Officers can fine people £100 for using laughing gas in Tower Hamlets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An east London borough has banned the use of nitrous oxide canisters, which it said are linked to “antisocial behaviour”.
Tower Hamlets’ mayor and council approved a Public Spaces Protection Order to ban the use of laughing gas across the borough, with officers able to issue a £100 fixed penalty notice or prosecute individuals, although it said enforcement will be a last resort.
The offence can carry a fine of up to £1,000 in court.
The council said in a statement that it would identify “problem hotspots” through using intelligence, CCTV, and neighbourhood tasking.
The order follows a public consultation of Tower Hamlets residents, in which 98 per cent said they were in favour of making the use of laughing gas an offence in the borough.
It also follows the council’s No Laughing Matter campaign to stop shops selling nitrous oxide and those misusing it.
The council said the use of nitrous oxides leads to litter, with the little silver canisters lining the borough’s streets.
In a statement, Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs said: “Using this substance can be harmful. People taking ‘laughing gas’ leave a mess of canisters making areas untidy, so we are committed to taking action against those who have a negative impact on people’s lives.”
One of the most commonly used drugs among 16 to 24-year-olds, laughing gas has increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years. Last July, Labour MP Rosie Duffield told parliament she wanted tighter regulations on its sale, claiming that its use has become “much more prevalent” during the coronavirus pandemic.
The inhalation of nitrous oxide resulted in the deaths of 25 people between 2010 and 2016, according to the Office of National Statistics. Inhaling the gas directly from a canister can be dangerous due to the level of pressure, which is why it is often discharged using balloons.
However, Prof David Nutt, the former government drug tzar has downplayed the scale of the issue, describing laughing gas as “less toxic and less addictive” than alcohol.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments