NSW Government Imposes Tough New Restrictions on Nitrous Oxide Sales to Curb Rising Abuse and Neurological Harm
Key Insights
The NSW Government will enforce new regulations from November restricting nitrous oxide retail sales, including a 250g daily limit and a ban on cylinders over 10g.
Sales to individuals under 18 are now prohibited, and same-day delivery along with late-night sales between 10pm and 5am are banned.
The crackdown responds to escalating misuse causing severe neurological injuries, spinal cord damage, frostbite, cardiac abnormalities, and asphyxiation among young people.
The New South Wales Government has announced a comprehensive regulatory crackdown on nitrous oxide sales, set to take effect in November, in response to escalating misuse that has led to severe neurological injuries and other serious health harms, particularly among young people.
The new regulations, enacted under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026, introduce strict controls on retail supply, age restrictions, and availability of nitrous oxide products—commonly known as "nangs" or "whippets."
Mounting Health Crisis Drives Regulatory Action
Nitrous oxide misuse has been linked to significant and sometimes irreversible harm. According to NSW Health (search), the increasing availability of large nitrous oxide cylinders has enabled heavier use, contributing to serious neurological injuries including spinal cord damage (search). Acute and chronic use can also result in severe frostbite, lung injuries, cardiac abnormalities, asphyxiation, and injuries associated with falls.
"The prevalence of nitrous oxide abuse – or nangs – is escalating in our community, and it is having a profound impact on the health of our young people," said NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park. "That's why we are cracking down on the supply of these products in our community."
Key Restrictions on Retail Supply
The new framework imposes three principal restrictions. First, volume limits: in retail settings, bulbs containing between 8–10 grams of nitrous oxide will be capped at a total of 250 grams per customer per day. Canisters or cylinders containing more than 10 grams of nitrous oxide will be banned from retail sale entirely.
Second, age restrictions: retailers are no longer permitted to supply nitrous oxide to any person under 18 years of age under any circumstances.
Third, availability restrictions: same-day delivery and supply are prohibited; sales are restricted to between 5am and 10pm; and nitrous oxide products cannot be visibly displayed to customers in retail settings.
Penalties and Exemptions
Maximum penalties for breaching the requirements are set at $2,200 for individuals and $11,000 for corporations, per offence. Exemptions will be in place for legitimate uses, including food and beverage businesses, certain industrial and commercial applications, and therapeutic use of nitrous oxide.
"No doubt, there are legitimate uses for nitrous oxide including in food; medicine; and industry – and we've struck the right balance between those purposes and health and safety, following comprehensive consultation," Minister Park stated.
Personal Toll Underscores Urgency
Sam Bramman, an advocate who experienced nitrous oxide addiction firsthand, highlighted the personal devastation the drug can cause. "I never thought nangs would take control of my life and leave me hospitalised. This drug was cheap, easy to get, and because they were legal, I thought they were safe," Bramman said. "If these laws help even one young person avoid the road that I went down, it will be worth it. Nangs are causing serious harm across Australia, and these reforms are a major step toward addressing it."
Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement
The regulations were developed following extensive consultation with key stakeholders including health practitioner groups, industry, and government agencies. NSW Health (search) is communicating directly with affected stakeholders to ensure practitioners, services, and businesses understand the new requirements and to support implementation of the reforms.
Individuals and organisations involved in wholesale supply, non-wholesale supply, prescribing, dispensing, administration, labelling, packaging, storage, and disposal of medicines and poisons will be required to comply with the new framework.
For information, support, and advice on nitrous oxide misuse, the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (1800 250 015) is available 24/7, and the Your Room website provides a fact sheet on nitrous oxide.