'No reason for dairies to sell them': Govt cracking down on sale of nangs in NZ

The Government is tightening restrictions on Nitrous Oxide (also known as nos, laughing gas or nangs) as it looks to crack down on recreational use.

Health Minister Simeon Brown and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have announced the new changes aimed at reducing harm from the gas, which some people inhale for a quick high.

“Short-term effects such as dizziness, impaired judgement and blackouts are dangerous, particularly when combined with driving or when mixed with alcohol or other drugs," Brown says.

Imports of nitrous oxide will now need sign-off from the Director-General of Health, and larger canisters (anything over 10g) will be classed as psychoactive substances.

Mitchell says the focus is to stop the harm and go after the businesses selling for recreational use.

“We are focused on reducing harm, backing enforcement, and targeting those who peddle harm in our communities,” he adds.

This is a practical, common-sense step to reduce harm and keep New Zealanders safe.

Recreational use of the gas is already illegal, but the Government says “misuse is still on the rise and becoming a serious public health concern”.

Brown says: "With heavy or repeated use, the risks increase further, including damage to the nervous system and long-term neurological injury.

The harms can be significant and long-lasting, and it is clear we need to do more.

The new import rules, under the Customs and Excise Act 2018, are designed to stop nangs intended for recreational use from getting into the country - while still allowing them for legitimate use, including medical treatments.

Mitchell added there’s “no reason” for places like dairies or vape shops to be selling them in the first place, regardless of claims they are intended for whipping cream.

"Automatically classifying large canisters as psychoactive substances will make enforcement simpler and more effective for police,” he says.

Fines of up to $500,000 or up to two years in prison already apply to anyone caught selling or supplying nitrous oxide for a psychoactive effect.

These changes close loopholes and give police clearer tools to crack down on those putting New Zealanders at risk.

It comes as police have already started cracking down, with five retailers facing charges after being caught selling them illegally across the North Island.

And just last year, incredibly large ‘cream chargers’ (up to 3.3litres worth of the gas) made their way onto the streets of Manurewa in Auckland.

They were covered in designs that appear similar to popular video games and comic books, seeming to deliberately grab attention for potential recreational use.

With these new restrictions in place, the hope is to see less of this dangerous substance ending up on the streets of NZ.