The Government's crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide appears to target the areas of most harm. 

The gas is increasingly becoming a health risk - particularly when it is inhaled in high quantities. 

Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.

The Drug Foundation's Hayden Eastmond-Mein says these canisters are the biggest issue. 

"Historically, nitrous oxide has been relatively low-harm in terms of drugs, but that was based on the kind of classic, smaller canisters that people might have seen." 

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The Government's crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide appears to target the areas of most harm.&nbsp;
The gas is increasingly becoming a health risk - particularly when it is inhaled in high quantities.&nbsp;
Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances.
The Drug Foundation's Hayden Eastmond-Mein says these canisters are the biggest issue.&nbsp;
"Historically, nitrous oxide has been relatively low-harm in terms of drugs, but that was based on the kind of classic, smaller canisters that people might have seen."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Hayden Eastmond-Mein: NZ Drug Foundation spokesperson on the Government's planned crackdown on nangs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0618027c-c4f0-4085-86be-b43b00677847/transcript