When young people go clubbing, the use of cannabis and laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is quite common. Laughing gas in particular is almost everywhere. Cannabis, on the other hand, is a category 2 narcotic under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例), and hence its use is a criminal offense. Laughing gas is listed as a controlled chemical substance; the use and possession of it would not contravene the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.
As a result, many young people take it as a new favorite pastime and believe that its use would not lead to death, which is wrong.
Some unscrupulous entrepreneurs take advantage of this and advertise laughing gas by saying that its use would not incur any criminal charges. Recently, the police collaborated with Keelung customs officials and intercepted and seized 54 tonnes of laughing gas, the largest amount to date. The laughing gas was likely intended for illicit sale, officials said.
POPULARITY
Recently, laughing gas has grown more popular, yet it has always existed in a legal gray area.
However, the truth is that it could be as harmful as any narcotic. It is indeed confusing that laughing gas is not regulated under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.
The Ministry of Justice has offered an explanation and said that in terms of drug abuse and addiction, laughing gas is different from narcotics. Additionally, it has been widely used in the industrial, healthcare and food production sectors. In other words, laughing gas’ extensive use across society has prevented it from being listed as a narcotic.
However, there have been cases in which its misuse or excessive use has led to death. In Taiwan, the misuse of laughing gas would only be punished with a fine of a certain amount of money according to the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法).
LEGAL STATUS
In stark contrast to Taiwan’s lenient measures, the British government recently decided to ban the use of laughing gas once and for all, and its misuse would be more severely penalized. Those found in possession could be imprisoned for several years or handed unlimited fines. Those who provide or produce laughing gas might be sentenced up to 14 years in prison. As laughing gas is set to become an illegal class C substance in the UK by the end of the year, its possession might lead to two years’ imprisonment.
London’s action and determination should be applauded. After having reviewed recent social cases, actual situations on the streets and research reports from civil organizations, the British government decided to ban its use and sale to prevent more antisocial or criminal activities.
GOVERNMENT
It is hoped that the agencies and officials in Taiwan would pay more attention to the lethality of laughing gas.
The government should be more attentive, regulate and ban this “chemical substance.”
It must be emphasized that its misuse might lead to addiction and lifelong destruction, and this should be stopped.
Dino Wei works in the information technology industry.
Translated by Emma Liu
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