Lambeth bans laughing gas with threat of £1,000 fine

A BAN on laughing gas came into force today in Lambeth with users and suppliers being warned they face a £1,000 fine if caught in possession of the socalled “legal high”.

Dropping laughing gas canisters as litter in the borough could also bring on-the-spot fines of £100 and the possibility of tougher action.

Lambeth council is the first to ban the recreational drug amid fears over its safety and complaints of anti-social behaviour by users. Medical experts say the gas can cause damage to the brain by depriving it of oxygen and can be fatal for people with a heart problem.

Recently Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he was deeply concerned at the growing popularity of nitrous oxide and called for a ban. Seventeen people in the UK died between 2006 and 2012 after using the gas.

Research published this year showed there had been a big rise in the recreational use of nitrous oxide with recent publicity surrounding a number of footballers using the drug.

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was “reminded of his responsibilities” after apparently being filmed using laughing gas in April, while Tottenham defender Kyle Walker admitted to “poor judgement” after photographs emerged showing him inhaling it.

Lambeth’s move bans the use and supply of legal highs in public areas across the whole borough.

Local police and council officers will enforce the ban though they are expected to begin with a “softly softly” approach as people become aware of the new regulations. Councillor Jane Edbrooke said: “Legal highs are simply not safe — we saw that just days ago with the death of a teenager who had inhaled laughing gas.”

A 29-year-old man dressed as a St John Ambulance officer was arrested at Shakedown music festival in Brighton after he was found with more than 1,000 laughing gas canisters. He is believed to be from London.