Over 46,000 canisters of potentially lethal laughing gas seized so far this year

Canisters of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, can be legally purchased as it has a legitimate use in the catering industry, but Revenue has the power to seize it where there are reasonable grounds to believe it is being imported with the intention of using it for illegitimate purposes. File picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

There has been a massive surge in seizures of potentially lethal nitrous oxide which is being widely misused by young people.

Revenue has seized 46,060 canisters in only the first eight months of this year, compared to 584 canisters in all of 2023, leading to calls for legislation before it is too late.