Health and Safety
We would like to remind all visitors to this site that Nitrous Oxide is a controlled substance and to purchase it you must be at least 18 year of age in the United Kingdom. Anyone visiting this site under this age must leave immediately, regardless of the laws in other countries where you maybe accessing this website from.
We wish to inform user of this website of the potentially fatal consequences of the misuse of Nitrous oxide, referred to as Laughing Gas. People have died from Nitrous Oxide, 8 people in 2016 alone(UK). These mainly occurred from asphyxiation (Deprivation of oxygen).
Risks
Nitrous oxide is not without its risks, one of the main risks is it impairs your judgement and can make you dizzy. This makes you careless and can put yourself at risk of injury, especially in environments where NOS is normally inhaled in (Eg. Steep drops, rivers and fires). Users with low blood pressure have increased risk and are susceptible to experience unpleasantness such as dizziness and weakness. This has been compared to a ‘whitey’ induced by a large amount of cannabis being consumed.
Similar to many other drugs laughing gas can bring on incipient mental health issues with destabilizing effects, in rare cases it can also produce disturbing automatisms of unconscious vocalisations and uncontrollable muscle behavior.
While there is no evidence you can become addicted to Nitrous Oxide it is possible to become psychologically addicted, having a craving or desire for the drug, despite the damage you may be causing to yourself. Other health risks common from heavy users of NOS is vitamin B12 deficiency, as sessions of excessive use will diminish stores of the vitamin.
The most dangerous risk associated with the use of nitrous oxide, is the risk of asphyxiation from the method of administration. The risky methods of delivery are the use of tubes or masks connected to the mouth and or nose that will keep providing the gas, even when the user is passed out ultimately causing asphyxiation. The amount of NOS that can be inhaled from a balloon or “double balloon”, with the use of a cream charger canister and dispenser is far below the quantity even used for anaesthetic purposes. However, you still put yourself at risk when misusing nitrous oxide. If the person is using a mask or tube and it is not removed it will make the user unconscious and they will be deprived of oxygen ultimately causing asphyxiation.
Nitrous Oxide Related Deaths
Listed below is information about deaths linked to the use of nitrous oxide which is listed on the death certificate. The information is intended for educational purposes and for you to understand the risks involved with the misuse of nitrous oxide.
08/03/2018 | Matthew Barnett, 23, Wigan – Presumed asphyxia 24 canisters found
18/02/2017 | Miguel Fernandes, 19, Surry – Presumed asphyxia
28/04/2017 | Vincent Ji-on Kwan, 24, Bristol – Presumed asphyxia. Possible suicide
25/07/2015 | Ally Calvert, 18, Abbey Wood – heart attack and died, potentially unrelated
15/04/2015 | Charles Barnhoorn, 20, Kingsteignton – Presumed asphyxia , +300 Canisters
02/03/2015 | Aaron Dunford, 22, Brighton – chronic user, B12 deficiency, presumed asphyxia
The common causes of death are:
- Using Bags or masks over the head – Causing asphyxia
- Using whitest standing – Causing to fall from height
- Using in a confined / Inclosed space – Causing asphyia
- Using while in control of a motor vehicle – Causing a fatal crash
- A Heart attack brought on by the gas
2000: 0
2001: 1
2002: 0
2003: 0
2004: 0
2005: 0
2006: 0
2007: 1
2008: 1
2009: 1
2010: 5
2011: 1
2012: 0
2013: 3
2014: 3
2015: 4
2016: 8
2017: 5
Total: 33 Deaths (Source)
The Law - United Kingdom
Age Restrictions
Under 18s are prohibited from purchasing Nitrous Oxide, even for legitimate reason as it is a controlled substance.
The Grey Area
Nitrous Oxide is still available for purchase in the context of being used food preparation. Eg; Whipping cream.
Publicised Prosecutions
Below are some publicised prosecutions related to nitrous oxide
13/11/2017 : Zubair Iftikhar – Possession with intent to supply (41,000 Canisters) | 10 month suspended prison sentence
03/09/2017 : Nicholas Chroussis – Possession with intent to supply (245 canisters) | 6 months suspended jail sentence + 50hrs Community service
15/08/2017 : Sonny Chapman – Possession with intent to supply (14,000 Canisters) | Two year prison sentence
09/07/2016 : William Cook – Possession with intent to supply (+200 Canisters) | 42 month prison sentence
The Law - Australia
The laws in Australia vary from state to territory, although the sale of nitrous oxide canisters to whip cream is legal Australia wide.
Age Restrictions
There is no age restrictions as such. However, most retailers enforce customers to be at least 18 years of age.
The Grey Area
Nitrous Oxide is still available for purchase in the context of being used food preparation. Eg; Whipping cream.
South Australia has implemented new rules regarding the sale of Nitrous oxide. Under the new Controlled Substances (Poisons) (Nitrous Oxide) Variation Regulations 2019 it is an offence to:
- sell or supply to people under the age of 18
- sell between the hours of 10pm and 5am
- make nitrous oxide visible or accessible to the public in retail stores
- fail to display a notice on the premises that details the offence of selling to under 18s.
Retailers that fail to abide by these rule could receive a fine of up to AU$5,000.(Source)
The Law - United States
The laws in the United States of America vary from state to state.
Restrictions
Distribution and the sale of nitros oxide to minors is a felony in the US. Misuse is also a felony but usually classed as a misdemeanour in most states.
Actual legislation
381b : Any person who possesses nitrous oxide or any substance containing nitrous oxide, with the intent to breathe, inhale, or ingest for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, elation, euphoria, dizziness, stupefaction, or dulling of the senses or for the purpose of, in any manner, changing, distorting, or disturbing the audio, visual, or mental processes, or who knowingly and with the intent to do so is under the influence of nitrous oxide or any material containing nitrous oxide is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to any person who is under the influence of nitrous oxide or any material containing nitrous oxide pursuant to an administration for the purpose of medical, surgical, or dental care by a person duly licensed to administer such an agent. (Source)
The Law - Canada
The laws in Canada can vary from provence to provence. Do your own research before purchasing.
What restrictions are there?
There are currently no restrictions around the purchase of cream charger canisters as of December 2019. However, growing concern over the missus and ease of access of the product is increasing.
From our research most shops and online retailers will enforce a 18+ restriction for the sale of nitrous oxide.
To learn more about the risks of Nitrous Oxide misuse visit the UK government website talk to frank.
www.talktofrank.com/drug/nitrous-oxide
We do not condone or encourage the use of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) for recreational purposes!
Don’t be stupid. People have died from Nitrous Oxide!
