KUWAIT CITY, Nov 8: The United Kingdom has begun banning the possession of nitrous oxide, known as “laughing gas,” for recreational use, a substance that poses a potential health risk and whose consumption has increased sharply, according to what the British government announced.

Nitrous oxide is now classified as a Class C drug, such as anabolic steroids and khat, for example, which means that possession of this substance “with the intention of improperly inhaling it to cause a psychological effect is now considered a crime,” according to what the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

The Ministry of Interior said, “Today, we are sending a clear message to the population, especially to young people,” who are particularly willing to consume this substance, which can be obtained easily and at an affordable price.

The ministry added, "For a long time, the use of this drug in public places has contributed to anti-social behavior that is considered a scourge in our societies."

The European Monitoring Center on Drugs and Drug Addiction has expressed alarm over the past year about the "alarming" increase in recreational use of nitrous oxide in certain regions of Europe.

This gas has short-term psychological effects that appear about three to four minutes after inhaling it.