Nitrous oxide: legitimate uses and appropriate controls

As previously reported, the Government announced in March plans to severely restrict the use of Nitrous Oxide aka Noz, Laughing Gas, Balloons or Hippie Crack.

They have now launched a formal consultation proposing the new measures to restrict the use for nonlegitimate purposes. 

The government recognises that there are legitimate uses for nitrous oxide in many sectors, including medical, industrial and catering. The aim of the new measures is to permit those wishing to use nitrous oxide for legitimate purposes to do so lawfully and without undue burdens.

The public consultation, which will close at 11:59 pm on 27^th June, proposes three options for consultation:

1. Introduce a licensing requirement for the import, export, possession, production, or supply of nitrous oxide where this is for a legitimate purpose.
2. Exempt from licensing requirements the import, export, possession, production, and supply of nitrous oxide where this is for legitimate purposes. This would mean no licensing requirements for legitimate purposes.
3. Introduce licensing requirements for the import, export, production, and supply of nitrous oxide and provide an exemption for the possession of nitrous oxide where this is for a legitimate purpose.