British tourists have been warned against taking laughing gas in Ibiza as a drug ‘epidemic’ sweeps the island.
Brits have suffered seizures after taking the drug, also known as a ‘hippy crack’, in the popular Spanish party island, while dangerous car accidents from reckless high drivers have been reported by locals.
The Class C drug, which can be fatal by depriving the brain of oxygen, is freely taken on the San Antonio party strip, where Brits are viewed as easy targets by dealers.
Also known as nitrous oxide, the gas is usually sold in small canisters which deliver a dose to fill a single balloon.
However, dealers in Ibiza are carrying canisters that can pump out up to 80 hits, at a going rate of €5 a balloon.
They often flock from bar to bar persuading party-goers to buy them.
The drug is prevalent across San Antonio, with groups of revellers lining the strip, sucking balloons, before leaving them littered all over the streets.
And shockingly British tourists have reportedly been left foaming at the mouth and permanently scarred after inhaling it.
British tourists have been warned against taking laughing gas in Ibiza as a drug ‘epidemic’ sweeps the island
Brits have suffered seizures and even dangerous car accidents after taking the drug, also known as a ‘hippy crack’, in the popular Spanish party island
The Class C drug, which can be fatal after it deprives the brain of oxygen, is freely taken on the San Antonio party strip
Meanwhile, locals claim to have seen a sharp rise in the drug’s usage and even report witnessing drivers taking it behind the wheel.
One bartender described the use of nitrous oxide as an ‘epidemic’.
While Katie Mae, a bartender at Irish pub Shenanigans on San Antonio’s main strip, told The Sun: ‘I’ve seen young lads having seizures on the street and foaming at the mouths, but their friends are high so do nothing to help.
‘One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister, and it froze one side of her face.
‘It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life.’
Another British bar worker admitted to selling laughing gas before she stopped when one of her customers almost died.
She said she was ‘freaking out’ when a young man smacked his head on the road during a high.
Selling ‘hippy crack’ for recreational use is illegal in Spain but it doesn’t appear to prevent its widespread appeal in parts of Ibiza.
Possession of laughing gas with the intent of getting high was made illegal in the UK in November 2023 but it is still commonly taken
Also known as nitrous oxide, the gas is usually sold in small canisters which deliver a dose to fill a single ballon
San Antonio Town Council said they are currently incorporating ten new police officers to increase their staff numbers to 69 to ‘ensure a more effective service tailored to the municipality’s current needs’.
Possession of laughing gas with the intent of getting high was made illegal in the UK in November 2023, with repeat offenders now facing up to two years in jail.
Dealers who peddle nitrous oxide can face up to 14 years behind bars after the substance was designated a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Consequences of possession where a person intends to wrongfully inhale the gas for a psychoactive effect can include a fine, or prison for repeat serious offenders
