The Philippine National Police (PNP) is studying the inclusion of nitrous oxide or laughing gas in the list of dangerous substances due to its harmful effects to an individual, PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo said on Monday.
In a press briefing, Fajardo said they are now coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) if the laughing gas would be labeled as illegal drugs.
"As we speak kasi, under the Republic Act 9165 [or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002] ay hindi pa kasama itong nitrous oxide," she noted.
This comes after the NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (AOTCD) arrested seven Vietnamese nationals, who were selling plastic balloons and tanks that contain laughing gas or nitrous oxide, in a club in Pasay City.
They were nabbed during a raid conducted on the morning of Sunday, May 14.
The PNP spokesperson explained that laughing gas is often used as anesthesia in hospitals, and this can cause a person to be "elated", "high", and "energetic" once they inhaled over and beyond the allowable amount.
