Recreational use of nitrous oxide calls for regulation
After being advised of concerns from the community and doctors regarding the use of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, particularly by young people, AMA Queensland has written to Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll calling for regulation.
AMA Queensland to Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll, Wednesday 19 March 2025
Nitrous oxide, known colloquially as ‘nangs’ and ‘NOS’, is a dissociative drug when used outside of health settings. For most users, it produces immediate and very short-lived effects that include euphoria, numbness, dizziness, uncontrolled laughter and sedation.
If used regularly and for long periods, however, it can produce harmful health outcomes mostly linked to vitamin B12 depletion such as memory loss, incontinence, hand and feet numbness and psychosis.
Increasing popularity and use among young people is reportedly fuelling a rise in unscrupulous business models by convenience and tobacco retailers, similar to those we have seen for vapes and other smoking products.
For example, nitrous oxide has traditionally been sold to health practitioners (e.g. dentists) for relevant health procedures and to bakers, caterers and similar businesses for the making of whipped cream, however, retail sales of larger-sized cannisters with added flavours and colourful packaging are now available both in-store and online for rapid delivery.
It is our view that the lack of regulation of nitrous oxide presents a public health risk that warrants swift government action.
The implementation of sensible, timely regulatory controls as seen in other jurisdictions would mitigate against nitrous oxide becoming the next avoidable public health threat to our young people. Governments at all levels failed to do this for vaping products and we urge Queensland Health to act quickly now to avoid the same occurring with nitrous oxide.
