More needs to be done to tackle the use of hippy crack in Bolton, two councillors have said.

The use of the nitrous oxide is said to be widespread in Bolton with silver cannisters being found littered in and around the borough.

Recently police have reported they have stopped drivers who were seen to be inhaling the gas through a balloon.

The sale of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects is already illegal but it is not a crime to possess the gas, and it is widely used in catering and medical settings.

It is used medically as an anaesthetic – given, for instance, to women in labour – and is also used to create whipped cream in kitchens.

A number of shops in Bolton have been raided by police and trading standards officers where  it was believed it was being sold inappropriately.

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The calls comes as ministers discuss banning the sale and use of laughing gas.

The Home Office said nitrous oxide is one of the most commonly used drugs among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and ministers are “actively considering” a wider ban.

The Bolton News:

Cllr Ayyub Patel said: “I am very concerned about the use of gas cannisters and the drugs and substance abuse in general.

“It is a big issue across the community.

“It is something I am looking at with the council to see how we can raise awareness about the use of substances that are harmful.

“Since I have come in in September it is one of the issues and challenges I am trying to take forward.

“If there is evidence to show they are being sold to people inappropriately as a council we can report it to licensing.”

Cllr Shamin Abdullah is also concerned about the issue.

She said: “We have to take action as a council to try and find out who is selling these gas cannisters to children and youths.

“There are so many side effects to them.

“It is the next thing for the youth who think of them as a safe drug.

“It is not going to change overnight.

“I do not think people understand the effects it can have on them of their families.”

She added: “Police have been very helpful

“When they are aware of a situation they do go and investigate and try to get to the bottom of it.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “Anti-social behaviour causes misery in communities and we are determined to crack down on this scourge to protect our streets.

“Nitrous oxide is one of the most commonly-used drugs among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and can have damaging side-effects.

“We have been clear we want to see common-sense policing to keep our communities safe.

“That is why we are actively considering a ban on the sale and use of this harmful drug and will ask the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to hasten their delivery of the report we commissioned, which we will carefully consider in reaching any decision.”

Current legislation bans the knowing or reckless supply of nitrous oxide for inhalation, with dealers facing up to seven years in jail.

But there have been calls for a ban on all direct consumer sales.

The drug is typically released into balloons from small silver cannisters and then inhaled. Prolonged use can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, anaemia and nerve damage. Doctors previously warned using laughing gas could lead to spinal injuries.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 36 deaths in Great Britain associated with nitrous oxide between 2001 and 2016.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the issue in his New Year speech earlier this month, hitting out at anti-social behaviour and highlighting the blight of discarded “nitrous oxide canisters in children’s playgrounds”.