Vietnam Proposes Ban on Laughing Gas Business to Curb Health Risks

The Vietnamese government is seeking to prohibit the business of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, for recreational human inhalation. A proposal submitted to the National Assembly aims to amend the Investment Law by adding a clause that bans the business of N2O for respiratory use, except for applications in medicine, the food industry, and scientific research.

Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan presented the proposal, citing reports from the Ministry of Public Security. These reports indicate that the abuse of N2O for entertainment has caused serious health problems, particularly affecting the nervous system, blood, and reproductive capabilities. Furthermore, there is a growing concern that recreational use can lead to dependency and potentially escalate to illicit drug use, negatively impacting public health and social order.

While existing laws regulate N2O in certain sectors, they have proven insufficient to prevent its misuse. The proposed amendment seeks to create a clearer prohibition, specifically targeting recreational consumption while preserving legitimate uses in scientific research, testing, and specific industries. The government aims to immediately eliminate the risks associated with the current complex market for N2O, which is often linked to illegal drug activities.

In addition to the laughing gas ban, the government also proposed adding the business of authorized visa service providers to the list of conditional investment and business sectors. This move is intended to enhance control over activities that pose national security risks. The draft law, including the conditional business regulations, is expected to take effect from March 1, 2027. However, the ban on nitrous oxide business is considered urgent and is proposed to take effect immediately upon the law's signing.

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Currently, based on reports from the Ministry of Public Security, through monitoring and evaluation, the abuse of nitrous oxide for entertainment has caused many serious health harms, especially to the nervous system, blood, and reproductive capacity, and there is a risk of addiction and drug use.