Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking regarding the increasing use of nitrous oxide as a drug of choice by teenagers.
The Government remains committed to reducing drug misuse among young people, including use of psychoactive substances such as nitrous oxide.
Our Drug Strategy supports programmes which have a positive impact on young people, giving them the confidence and resilience to resist drug misuse. This includes supporting schools and educators to take action to prevent substance misuse, by expanding the Alcohol and Drugs Education and Prevention Information Service, which provides practical advice and tools, and developing the 'Rise Above' digital hub. We are also making health education compulsory in all schools, which will include a focus on the risks associated with drug misuse.
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 makes it illegal to supply nitrous oxide if the drug is likely to be consumed for psychoactive effect.