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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

State cracks down on sale of potentially deadly 'nangs'

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • New South Wales, Australia, is implementing stricter regulations on the sale of nitrous oxide, commonly known as 'nangs'.
  • The government is cracking down due to an increase in recreational use leading to serious harm and deaths.
  • New laws will restrict sales of larger nitrous oxide containers and bulbs to individuals under 18, with significant fines for non-compliance.

The New South Wales government is taking decisive action against the sale of nitrous oxide, a chemical compound increasingly used recreationally and linked to serious health harms. The substance, legally used in hospitality and medical fields, is commonly referred to as 'nangs' when used as a recreational drug.

The prevalence of nitrous oxide abuse, or nangs, is escalating in our community, and it is having a profound impact on the health of our young people.

— Ryan ParkNSW Health Minister Ryan Park explains the rationale behind the government's crackdown on nitrous oxide sales.

Starting November 5, it will be illegal to sell cylinders or tanks containing more than ten grams of nitrous oxide in New South Wales. Additionally, the sale of bulbs, which typically hold 8-10 grams, will be prohibited for anyone under 18. These measures aim to curb the escalating abuse of nitrous oxide, which the NSW Health Minister Ryan Park states is profoundly impacting the health of young people.

Since 2020, over a dozen deaths across Australia have been investigated for a potential link to nitrous oxide, including fatalities from drowning, car crashes, suffocation, and complications arising from chronic use. The new regulations place the onus on retailers, who will face fines of up to $11,000 per offense, while individuals selling in breach of the rules can be fined up to $2,200. Businesses will also be required to maintain sales records.

It causes depression, psychosis, and if you've got a pre-existing mental health issue, it worsens that.

— Jessamine SoderstromRoyal Perth Hospital toxicologist Dr. Jessamine Soderstrom describes the wide-ranging medical impacts of recreational nitrous oxide use.

Further restrictions include a 250-gram limit on individual purchases between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and limitations on same-day delivery and supply. Toxicologists warn that recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression and psychosis, and can worsen pre-existing conditions. Chronic use may result in nerve damage and long-term physical disabilities, including paralysis. Advocates are calling for a national approach to harmonize regulations across Australian states.

Other states need to step up to the plate and their needs to be a national harmony.

— Sam BrammanSam Bramman, who previously shared his addiction to nitrous oxide, calls for a unified national response to the issue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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