The Hidden Danger of Nitrous Oxide

7.30 is a news program.

The topic is about drugs.

The date is Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 5:08 am.

Daniel Jones died after using nitrous oxide, also known as 'nangs'.

Daniel's mother remembers him as a hard-working young man.

He had paid off his business loan and was planning a holiday.

Daniel was loud and boisterous, says his mother.

He was a responsible child who didn't need to be asked twice to do things.

Daniel's mother found him dead in his bedroom with a bucket list and nitrous oxide.

The cause of death was 'plastic bag and nitrous oxide asphyxia'.

Nitrous oxide is used as an anaesthetic and to whip cream.

Daniel used nitrous oxide to get high, not for medical or culinary purposes.

Many people are using nitrous oxide for fun, which is a growing problem.

It's legal to sell nitrous oxide for legitimate uses, but not for getting high.

Doctors and researchers are worried because it's easy to buy nitrous oxide online.

In some states, you can buy nitrous oxide at stores, but there are some rules.

Daniel's mother can't understand how nitrous oxide took over her son's life.

She feels like nitrous oxide stole her son's life.

The market for nitrous oxide is big and growing.

It's too easy to buy nitrous oxide, which is a concern.

Australia imported more nitrous oxide in 2025 than in 2015.

The value of these imports also increased during this time.

Researchers don't know how much of this increase is due to people using it for fun.

A professor who studies nitrous oxide use among young people says there's a lack of data.

The professor has studied how young people use nitrous oxide.

She says many young people don't think nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug.

Some young people use nitrous oxide on the way to parties or with other drugs.

The high from nitrous oxide is quick, so people use it repeatedly.

Some children are using nitrous oxide at school, which is very worrying.

Sam Bramman became addicted to nitrous oxide.

He started using it at a party and quickly became addicted.

At his worst, Sam's days were all about getting and using nitrous oxide.

He would think about when he could get his next hit of nitrous oxide.

Sam had a psychotic episode and thought the police were after him.

He drove to the Gold Coast while high on nitrous oxide and lost control of his car.

Sam is now recovering and wants to warn others about the dangers of nitrous oxide.

He's concerned that it's too easy to buy nitrous oxide in New South Wales.

Federal laws say it's illegal to sell nitrous oxide if you know it will be used for fun.

But when 7.30 visited some stores, the sellers didn't ask what the nitrous oxide was for.

Doctors are seeing more severe cases of nitrous oxide use.

A toxicologist says nitrous oxide can cause serious health problems.

One of the worst effects is nerve damage to the spinal cord.

This can cause numbness, difficulty walking, and even permanent disability.

Doctors are also seeing psychiatric problems from nitrous oxide use.

Nitrous oxide is sometimes sold in large tanks, which is not necessary for legitimate uses.

The shift to larger tanks is a significant change in how people use nitrous oxide.

While users once used small canisters, many now use tanks with hundreds of grams of nitrous oxide.

There's no legitimate reason for these large tanks, says the toxicologist.

The laws around nitrous oxide are patchy and confusing.

Nitrous oxide is often sold as whipped cream 'chargers'.

Despite the concerns, large tanks of nitrous oxide are easy to buy.

Different states have different rules, which creates loopholes.

The regulatory landscape is 'patchy', says a professor.

It's confusing, and experts say enforcement is difficult, especially online.

Many businesses advertise nitrous oxide delivery, often 24/7.

Tessa Jones thinks nitrous oxide is too easy to buy.

She's frustrated that her son could order large tanks of nitrous oxide before he died.

One delivery company used the street name for nitrous oxide in its business name.

This makes Tessa skeptical that the business had any legitimate intent.

Tessa and her family want the laws around nitrous oxide to change.

7.30 tried to contact the delivery company but couldn't find anyone.

A professor says regulation alone won't solve the problem.

She calls for a broader approach, including research, education, and consistent laws.

The current patchwork of laws needs to be fixed, says the professor.

For families like Tessa's, changes can't come soon enough.

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Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 5:08 am.

Thursday, 25 June 2026, at 5:36 am.

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