Proposed tougher law on laughing gas sales welcomed by Wigan councillor

Coun Anthony Sykes, of Ashton ward, said the Government has wrote to him saying there are plans to tighten up on the online sale of nitrous oxide (NO), also known as laughing gas or hippy crack.

The response comes after he penned a letter to the Government urging for them to take action around the sale of the small cannisters which he said have become an increasing problem in the borough.

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that people inhale sometimes via a balloon and can be extremely dangerous.

Health risks of nitrous oxide includes restricting oxygen supply and Vitamin B deficiency.

Coun Sykes said he was “reassured” to hear there are plans to tighten up on online sales, but that he will pushing ahead with council officers to implement more education and a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Ashton or the whole borough, which prohibits specified things being done in a restricted area.

Although it is illegal to supply nitrous oxide for recreational use, it is difficult to prove unless the users are caught in the act.

Claiming the current national law is “not fit for purpose, he said: “Despite the letter stating convictions for NO abuse have happened, I cannot find a single conviction.

“It’s reassuring to hear there are plans to tighten up on online sales.

“However, I am pushing ahead with council officers to implement more education and a PSPO for either my constituency of Ashton or the whole borough similar to the one which already covers Wigan and Leigh town centres.

“This will enable police to intervene when NO is being abused were currently the national law isn’t fit for purpose.”

In a letter in response to Coun Sykes, Kit Malthouse, Minister of State for Crime and Policing, said the planned new law would put a duty of care on companies towards their users.

This would be overseen by an independent regulator, and the online sale of NO would fall under the scope of the legislation.

He said: “Illegal and harmful activity online such as the supply of psychoactive substances for their psychoactive effect will fall within the scope of the planned legislation.

He added: “The Government intends to establish in law a newduty of care on companies towards their users, overseen by an independent regulator."