TOUGHER laws have not stopped the sale of nitrous oxide, with the Herald finding Fremantle convenience stores still offering ‘nangs’ despite regulations intended to keep it out of the hands of the general public.

The Herald’s investigation found two of six convenience stores visited in Fremantle were offering large nitrous oxide canisters containing one and 3.3 litres of gas.

Another store denied selling nitrous oxide but displayed several whipped cream dispensers behind the counter.

The Herald was also able to purchase nitrous oxide online without providing proof of age or evidence of a registered food business, despite WA’s restrictions on sales.

Shortly after placing the order, the Herald received a phone call from the seller advising the selected brand had sold out and offering a replacement.

The package arrived by mail in less than 24 hours in discreet packaging with an interstate return address.

Several websites selling nitrous oxide advertised delivery across WA, including delivery within 20 minutes in metropolitan Perth. While the websites outlined the law surrounding nitrous oxide sales, their bestselling products were large canisters and they also stocked balloons, crackers and other paraphernalia commonly associated with recreational use.

A local father whose son’s struggles with nitrous oxide began in high school said accessibility appeared easier than ever.

For privacy reasons, he asked not to be named.

“Fremantle still stock a variety of nangs,” he said.

“There is actual salesmen running around, selling it to these convenience stores.”

He said he visited a Fremantle convenience store during his own investigation.

“A girl came in, she must have been 14 or 15 … to buy nangs,” he said.

“I finally asked, ‘do you got any gas?, and I said, ‘do you get enough of it?’; he goes ‘yeah, anytime’.”

The father said the gas appealed to young people because it was cheap and marketed with party-style branding.

“The advertising on it, it’s all party images of people having a good time,” he said.

“Children see this, how can it be seen to be bad?”

He said some canisters were even sold with mouthpieces.

“You get your hit and they pass the bottle around.

“The large canisters are starting to show up in public. Emptied, thrown out of vehicles, or just dropped by the roadside.”

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “nangs”, “whippets” or “bulbs”, is used legitimately as a propellant for whipped cream but is also inhaled recreationally for its brief euphoric effects.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation policy and engagement manager Amy Herbert said the effects were felt “almost immediately” and typically lasted only a few minutes.

Ms Herbert said people of all ages used nitrous oxide, although young people were more likely to experiment with it.

“Young people are inherently curious,” she said, adding that risks could increase when poor mental health and trauma were involved.

In 2022 nitrous oxide was classified nationally as a Schedule 6 poison, requiring poison warning labels against inhalation.

Western Australia had already restricted sales to people aged 16 and over, before the Cook Government introduced what it described in 2024 as the “toughest” nitrous oxide laws in the country.

The changes limited purchases of 10-gram nitrous oxide bulbs to buyers able to prove they operated a registered food business.

Despite those restrictions, litres of the gas remain readily available.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data shows recreational use of nitrous oxide has gradually increased since 2001.

WA Poisons Information Centre clinical toxicologist and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital emergency physician Dr Jason Armstrong said heavy, long-term use could cause permanent nerve damage and severe mobility issues.

“We’re aware on a semi-regular basis of patients coming in with identified high-dose use of these agents who develop neurological symptoms,” Dr Armstrong said.

He said frequent use interfered with vitamin B12 metabolism, preventing the body from maintaining healthy nerves.

“People become habituated to using it, they use it regularly and repetitively, and use it in massive doses,” he said.

The WA Poisons Information Centre received 11 nitrous oxide-related calls in 2025, down from 50 calls in 2023.

Dr Armstrong said that did not necessarily indicate reduced access to the drug, but could reflect greater awareness of its toxicity and treatment.

In 2020, 22 nitrous oxide cases presented to WA public hospital emergency departments, including eight patients with severe spinal cord degeneration.

Patients reported heavy use, with some consuming the equivalent of 300 bulbs a day and continuing for periods ranging from three months to many years.

The local father said his son’s struggles with drugs began in Year 10 and accused authorities of failing to adequately investigate the issue.

“The government is actually, by their own criminal neglect not to investigate this, responsible for allowing the most vulnerable people in their community,” he said.

“Why are schools not taking it seriously? Why is the Education Department not taking it seriously?”

“You know what the headmaster said to me? ‘It’s only very few numbers.’ I said, ‘Well, how many numbers do you need to treat this seriously?’”

“Only 30 or 40 kids, well you’ve got 2,500 students.”

The father said his biggest regret was not contacting the Education Department directly.

He also questioned whether existing regulations were being enforced.

“The government claims that it legislated or made it illegal, but they didn’t,” he said.

“I don’t know what’s more important than trying to prevent your own community from exerting a burden on the health system.”

The father said his nephew’s friend now used a wheelchair following nitrous oxide abuse.

“My nephew has a friend who’s now living a life in a wheelchair.

“If you’re going to have a poison department, if you’re going to have a health department, then why do nothing?

“This government’s proven they’re not active at all when it comes to nitrous oxide.”

He said many people remained unaware of the risks.

“People are so ill-informed. Do you want your kids to have this?”

If you or someone you know is concerned about nitrous oxide use, help is available through the WA Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024.

by CARLA LANE