NITROUS OXIDE – KNOWN AS LAUGHING GAS – TO BE CLASS C DRUG BY THE END OF THE YEAR

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is to be outlawed by the end of the year and will become a class C drug as part of government changes to the law.

Laughing gas users could face two years in jail and those who sell nitrous oxide may receive a sentence of up to 14 years.

Nitrous oxide is the second most commonly used drug in 16-24-year-olds in England after cannabis.