E-dealers sell legal ‘nangs’ laughing gas canisters on Gold Coast while police powerless to act

E-dealers are cashing in on a burgeoning nitrous-oxide canister grey market with “nangs” delivered to the door within an hour.

E-DEALERS are cashing in on a burgeoning nitrous-oxide canister grey market with “nangs” delivered to the door within an hour.

Like a hot pizza, Gold Coasters can order canisters of the “laughing gas” online or via an app for a standard total purchase as low as $30.

As part of its investigation, the Bulletin bought a pack of 10 canisters which sell for about $10 and ID was not checked.

The grey market industry could soon be coming to an end, however, with the federal regulator considering rescheduling of the drug, limiting access for suppliers.

“Laughing gas” is used regularly as an anaesthetic during surgery and dentistry, and also as a propellant for preparing whipped cream.

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‘Nangs’, which are canisters of nitrous-oxide. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Recreational use has increased by 40 per cent since 2014, according to the latest Global Drug Survey, and in recent years nitrous-oxide has been linked to deaths and disability, with reports of some individuals inhaling up to 100 canisters in a night.

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Under the Therapeutic Goods Administration proposal to be decided mid-year, nitrous oxide would be upgraded to be sold for medical use only.

The use of “nangs” hit national headlines in 2018 when schoolie Hamish Bidgood fell from a Gold Coast balcony after inhaling canisters.

However, the concerns of health officials have not been heeded with delivery outlets legally catering to “baking parties” with on-the-hour, 24-hour delivery.

Operators include Nangaroo, Gold Coast Nangs, Nan’s Nangs, Buy Cream Chargers, Best Nangs and Whip it Good Brisbane.

There’s been increasing concerns about the use of ‘nangs’, particularly among young people. Picture: Tertius Pickard

It’s not suggested the businesses named have engaged in any wrongdoing

“We realise that time is of the essence when hosting a party, and we’re always on call to deliver,” the Nan’s Nangs site reads.

As part of the Bulletin investigation, three packs of the canisters were able to be obtained and delivered to the door with nothing more than a credit card.

A spokesperson for Gold Coast Nangs, which opened in December, said it was not their business on how customers used the cream chargers.

“We don’t care to speculate on the intention of our customers but we do what we can to ensure manufacturer’s directions are understood and customers know they should be followed.

“If a customer tells us they intend to misuse a product, we will decline to sell them,” the spokesperson said.

“We also sell energy drinks. If a customer told us they wanted to consume those in a manner against the manufacturer’s directions for safe consumption we would also decline to sell to them.”

The spokesperson said Gold Coast Nangs had been busy over the new year period, but competition was strong.

The sale of ‘nangs’ is legal, at least for the time being. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“We have teamed up with some local talent to expand our operation out of the Sydney region.

“Obviously, it’s a sensitive industry and we are doing all we can to ensure we follow applicable laws while trying to grow our business.”

UQ Associate Professor Jason Ferris, who specialises in substance abuse, said while there were obvious concerns about overuse of the inhalant, further regulation as proposed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration would be counter productive.

“I think the upscheduling of nitrous oxide should not be supported, and that perhaps any upscheduling, if needed, should be to a schedule 5.

“Reactionary regulation changes are excessive; better, more readily available harm minimisation messages are appropriate in this case.”

Police say while they are aware of the online retailers there are limits to how they can charge individuals.

“The QPS would also advise people selling or supplying these items, in situations where the intentional misuse of them results in death or serious injury of a person, can render the seller or supplier liable for criminal charges,” a QPS spokesman said.

“Possession of nitrous oxide (in the small bulbs) is not illegal in Queensland as there are legitimate uses for them.”