Lincolnshire police hope new nitrous oxide legislation will help tackle future issues in the county
There have been a number of local cases - often at large events
Last updated 10th Nov 2023
Lincolnshire police have told us the use of nitrous oxide or laughing gas is a real concern in the county and they welcome new legislation.
Possession of the substance is now illegal unless for legitimate reasons.
Users could face up to 2 years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Knubley from Lincs police says they've seen pockets of use and the ban should be a deterrent.
Here's what he told us: "Like any other drug there's an element of criminality to it."
We've seen use take place in places like raves or events
"People want to supply and make money from supplying it - they don't care about those who use it."
"This will give us greater powers to tackle it."
"We don't have any particular hotspots in terms of where it's occurring in Lincolnshire but you do see pockets where young people have gathered - things like raves or events."
"You see the discarded cannisters."
People can take too much and their lungs are starved of oxygen
"Now possession is an offence, it provides us with the opportunity to deal with that as a criminal offence, potentially even arrest.
Possession now has a maximum sentence of 2 years and supply 14 years - it's quite a deterrent and gives us some additional powers."
"Across the country we've had drugs deaths that are linked to nitrous oxide."
"Sadly people use it - you've seen them use it in balloons and things like that - they don't know how much they're taking so they take too much and therefore lungs are starved of oxygen."