Drugs expert warns Cambridgeshire's nitrous oxide users amid new ban
The ban on what's known as 'laughing gas' comes into force from today
Cambridgeshire Police say those who continue to use nitrous oxide illegally will do so at their own risk under new laws.
From today the ban means anyone caught selling the substance - known as laughing gas - could face up to 14 years in jail.
Serial users of nitrous oxide can also land a 2-year prison sentence as part of the ban.
The new laws will make nitrous oxide a controlled Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Gavin Guy is a drugs expert at Cambridgeshire Police:
"There are still legitimate possession allowances for legitimate purposes, but if it's intended for its recreational and psychoactive effect, that gives police powers to seize and deal with the person in possession of that," he said.
"If people want to use it can still source it, but what the government want to say is 'this is now an illegal product and we're saying there are risks and harms associated with it and we'd rather you didn't use it'."
There are exemptions to nitrous oxide ban
The government has said those who have a "legitimate reason for possessing the substance will be exempt from the ban."
This includes in maternity wards when used as pain relief during labour.
Individual users will need to demonstrate they are lawfully in possession of nitrous oxide and not intending to consume it for psychoactive effects, such as hallucinations, changes in alertness and mood with other people.
But Mr Guy warns the risks of using nitrous oxide could still be damaging.
"With people inhaling it, the risks with that are vitamin B12 depletion and it's been indicated there is nerve ending damage caused by nitrous oxide," he said.
"In reality, I expect to see an increase in the number of seizures (of nitrous oxide canisters).
"Whether we see people actually going out and looking for them and whether they're (police) stopping people in possession and seizing them, we can't tell what impact that might create."
"We're sending a clear signal to young people"
Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said the government will deliver on a promise it made on tackling anti-social behaviour through the ban.
"Abuse of nitrous oxide is also dangerous to people’s health and today we are sending a clear signal to young people that there are consequences for misusing drugs," he said.
"Both users and dealers will face the full force of the law for their actions."