Do we really believe that laughing gas is the root cause of anti-social behaviour or is there a more sinister reason for banning the item?

Nitrous oxide is set to be banned under Government plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. Michael Gove Secretary of State for Housing and Communities made the announcement on Sunday the 26th of March on the Sophy Ridge programme.

“Anti-social behaviour can ruin lives,” he said.

Although we can all agree that anti-social behaviour is not acceptable especially when damage or harm is caused, but surely consuming substances like alcohol do more harm than laughing gas?

The independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was asked by the Home Office in 2021 to provide advice on whether to make possession of nitrous oxide a crime, but the ACMD concluded that the sanctions of offences under the act would be disproportionate with the level of harm associated with the substance.

The sale of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to the public will be banned and the police will be given enhanced drug-testing powers as part of Rishi Sunak’s attempt to crack down on antisocial behaviour “with urgency”.
Outlining the reasons behind the nitrous oxide ban, the Government said it was “concerned about the rise in health and social harms” of laughing gas, “particularly to young people”.

Nitrous oxide slows down your brain and your body’s responses, and the effects of the drug varies depending on how much has been inhaled. Taking nitrous oxide can cause: feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness. fits of giggles and laughter – hence the nickname ‘laughing gas’.
But could the real reason behind the lockdown be environmental in nature under the disguise of achieving a net-zero footprint 2040?

The NHS has committed to achieving net-zero direct emissions by 2040 and this specifically includes anaesthetic gases. Nitrous oxide being the largest carbon footprint of the anaesthetic gases accounting for at least 80% of the total anaesthetic gas footprint in 2019/20.

Nitrous oxide is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and it also depletes the ozone layer. Since it also has a shorter life span, reducing it could have a faster, significant impact on global warming.

Research shows us that it’s not a lockdown on antisocial behaviour, but alas a reason to give more control to our police force while banning an item that has a huge impact on our environment.

V.o.W always encourage their readers to do their own research and when it sounds to good to be true, it normally is.

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