Essex vape pen and laughing gas cannister littering

Dog walkers, runners and all those who enjoy south Essex’s parks would have grown used to seeing little silver bullet cannisters of laughing gas littering green spaces over the years.

But in the last 12 months, sightings of them have almost entirely dried up as they have now been replaced by larger aluminium “fast gas” cannisters that resemble cans of spray paint.

Small colourful vape pens, often Elfbar branded pens, have also become a regular sight following a surge in popularity among young people.

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Hawkwell independent councillor Julie Gooding, who has been joining litter picks at Cherry Orchard Park for years, says vape pens and laughing gas cannisters are among the most common items found.

Litter pickers fighting back (Image: Julie Gooding)

“I have been finding more and more fast gas cannisters littered around the park blighting our wonderful natural habitats and spaces,” she said.

“They buy them buy the box online as they are easy to get hold of because they are used to create whipped cream in kitchens.

A laughing gas cannister found in the park (Image: Julie Gooding)

“It’s a real plague on our society; it can have astronomical effects on people’s health, it has been known to put people in wheelchairs and cause serious brain damage.”

She added: “I am also concerned about how easy it for young people to get a hold of these vape pens, which are marketed at youngsters with flavours that are akin to sweets.”

A haul of vape pens found in Cherry Orchard Country park (Image: Julie Gooding)

Home Office data shows 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 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.

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.

“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.”