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| Councils issue health warning on 'laughing gas' use | Councils issue health warning on 'laughing gas' use |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A health warning has been issued by councils across England and Wales about the dangers of inhaling "laughing gas". | A health warning has been issued by councils across England and Wales about the dangers of inhaling "laughing gas". |
| Formally known as nitrous oxide, the gas - mostly used in medicine - has become a popular recreational drug, known for its relaxing effects. | Formally known as nitrous oxide, the gas - mostly used in medicine - has become a popular recreational drug, known for its relaxing effects. |
| The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents about 400 councils, issued the health warning and said councils were seizing large hauls of the drug. | The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents about 400 councils, issued the health warning and said councils were seizing large hauls of the drug. |
| Taking the gas is not illegal. | Taking the gas is not illegal. |
| The LGA issued the warning on behalf of councils, which took over responsibility for public health matters in April 2013. | The LGA issued the warning on behalf of councils, which took over responsibility for public health matters in April 2013. |
| The gas is inhaled by users in a balloon. The LGA estimates that about 500,000 young people frequently take nitrous oxide. | The gas is inhaled by users in a balloon. The LGA estimates that about 500,000 young people frequently take nitrous oxide. |
| The LGA warning says regular intake of the chemical can lead to oxygen deprivation, which can result in loss of blood pressure, fainting and even heart attacks. | The LGA warning says regular intake of the chemical can lead to oxygen deprivation, which can result in loss of blood pressure, fainting and even heart attacks. |
| It also warns that prolonged exposure can cause anaemia, bone marrow suppression and poisoning of the central nervous system. | It also warns that prolonged exposure can cause anaemia, bone marrow suppression and poisoning of the central nervous system. |
| 'Glamorised craze' | 'Glamorised craze' |
| The association said it was concerned by some internet clips, which had been posted on social networking sites and appeared to show children inhaling the gas. | The association said it was concerned by some internet clips, which had been posted on social networking sites and appeared to show children inhaling the gas. |
| Katie Hall, chairwoman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "It is deeply disturbing that this drug, which can be highly dangerous, is still widely viewed as safe. | Katie Hall, chairwoman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "It is deeply disturbing that this drug, which can be highly dangerous, is still widely viewed as safe. |
| "It is imperative that users understand just how harmful it can be. This gas can kill - and much more needs to be done to get this message across." | "It is imperative that users understand just how harmful it can be. This gas can kill - and much more needs to be done to get this message across." |
| She also called on internet corporations to "step up to the plate" and "show responsibility by providing health warnings and links to drug awareness charities". | She also called on internet corporations to "step up to the plate" and "show responsibility by providing health warnings and links to drug awareness charities". |
| "It is wholly unacceptable that this craze is being glamorised and encouraged in this way," she said. | "It is wholly unacceptable that this craze is being glamorised and encouraged in this way," she said. |
| The LGA said warning leaflets had been distributed to pupils at schools and youth clubs. | The LGA said warning leaflets had been distributed to pupils at schools and youth clubs. |
| But a laughing gas seller, who did not want to be named, told the BBC warnings were unlikely to put people off. | But a laughing gas seller, who did not want to be named, told the BBC warnings were unlikely to put people off. |
| "People know the risk and people are taking the risk and there's such a high demand for it," he said. | "People know the risk and people are taking the risk and there's such a high demand for it," he said. |
| "There are celebrities doing it and I think any time people see celebrities doing things they are going to want to do it anyway." | "There are celebrities doing it and I think any time people see celebrities doing things they are going to want to do it anyway." |
| 'Serious consequences' | 'Serious consequences' |
| Marolin Watson, from drug awareness charity Hope UK, said using the gas could lead people to experiment with more dangerous drugs. | Marolin Watson, from drug awareness charity Hope UK, said using the gas could lead people to experiment with more dangerous drugs. |
| She said: "People will be tempted either to do it over a prolonged period of time, which does increase the risks of asphyxiation, or they could have an accident while they're unconscious. | She said: "People will be tempted either to do it over a prolonged period of time, which does increase the risks of asphyxiation, or they could have an accident while they're unconscious. |
| "But the real danger I think is that it will lead them to seek longer-lasting highs which will lead to drugs which do have more serious consequences." | "But the real danger I think is that it will lead them to seek longer-lasting highs which will lead to drugs which do have more serious consequences." |
| Council officials in Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley have all reported increasing numbers of "laughing gas" canisters being found. | Council officials in Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley have all reported increasing numbers of "laughing gas" canisters being found. |
| Hackney council in east London said it had confiscated more than 1,200 canisters of the chemical on just one Saturday night in July outside pubs and clubs in Shoreditch. | Hackney council in east London said it had confiscated more than 1,200 canisters of the chemical on just one Saturday night in July outside pubs and clubs in Shoreditch. |