The ‘toughest anti-nang laws in the country' only work if you enforce them
On the day then-health minister Amber-Jade Sanderson proclaimed a ban on 'nangs' last October, I walked into a convenience store and bought the illegal nitrous oxide gas canisters — no questions, no ID, no proof of purchase, no problem.
Day one of the new regulations, fair enough, give them time, despite a promise to 'enforce compliance from today', having long sounded a warning the ban was coming.
That was seven months ago. But this week, I walked into that same convenience store and tested their compliance as part of a 9News Perth investigation.
Once again, no questions, no problems. Ten nangs for $10.
Tobacconists and retailers in the Perth CBD and Northbridge are flagrantly flouting the law. And why wouldn't they, when the state government is not policing what it touted as the 'toughest laws in the country'.
9News Perth and WAtoday revealed this week that not a single fine has been issued by the Department of Health for the sale of nangs.
It is difficult to believe, when any teenager — or at least anyone with a working debit card — can buy the popular and potentially deadly party gas in the ubiquitous corner stores or even online, delivered to your door in under 30 minutes, just like Uber Eats.
Nangs give users a high when they inhale the gas. And they are popular; an ED doctor even told me during my investigation that he had used nangs.
They can also cause seizures, heart attacks, psychosis, or irreversible neurological damage — like the case of Perth teenager Molly Day, who paid the price for the cheap thrill.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
SBS Australia
30-05-2025
- SBS Australia
Australia records first case of clade 1b mpox, joining six other non-African countries
Australia has recorded at least 1,726 cases of mpox since 2022. Source: Getty / Nih-Niaid/BSIP/Universal Images Group Australia has recorded its first case of the mpox variant that typically causes more serious illness. The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed a case of mpox clade 1b in NSW earlier this month — the first, and so far only, case of this variant in Australia. The case was a returned traveller, and the risk of further transmission was low, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said. SBS News has contacted the NSW Department of Health for comment. Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease, and comes from the same family as the one responsible for smallpox. It is divided into two clades, clade 1 and clade 2, and further into two subclades: 1a and 1b, and 2a and 2b. Historically, clade 1 is more likely to cause severe illness and death than clade 2. Mpox is endemic to parts of central and West Africa, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But in 2022, a global outbreak of clade 2 occurred, which is ongoing. There have been 1,726 confirmed cases of mpx across Australia since 2022, according to the Department of Health's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. The majority of these (1,409) were recorded in 2024, and there have been 147 cases so far this year. Until the recent clade 1b case, reported infections in Australia have been caused by mpox clade 2b, the CDC states. It says most of these infections were locally acquired. It says mpox clade 1b infections were previously isolated to Central Africa but have since been recorded elsewhere. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists a small number of countries outside Africa where clade 1b cases have been recorded, including, along with Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland. It says reported cases in these countries are linked to travel and not local transmission. More than half of the 32,953 reported clade 1b cases recorded in parts of Africa since January 2024 have been recorded in Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the WHO. The CDC acknowledges clade 1 has generally been considered to cause more severe disease, but recent data suggested clade 1b — first discovered in 2023 — has a fatality rate similar to clade 2b. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes recent outbreaks have seen "much lower death rates". Signs and symptoms can include a distinctive rash or lesions, swollen lymph nodes, headache or fever, muscle aches, joint pain, back pain, chills and exhaustion. The virus can be transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, close contact with rashes on the skin, body fluids (including droplets from coughing or sneezing) and contaminated objects such as linen and towels. Symptoms typically clear after two to four weeks for most people, but some can become seriously ill. The Department of Health says most cases in Australia have been identified in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, but anyone can be affected. It says that most infections are mild. Eligible groups can receive free vaccinations against mpox, with no Medicare card required. Vaccination is recommended for men who have sex with men, sex workers, and healthcare and laboratory staff at risk of exposure. Those who have close physical contact with an infected person or are immunocompromised are also considered high risk. Anyone at risk who plans to travel to a country experiencing a significant outbreak should be vaccinated four to six weeks before travelling. The best time for people to receive the vaccine is before they are exposed to mpox.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- West Australian
‘Serious threat': Fresh Covid warnings as jab rates decline
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
Perth Now
29-05-2025
- Perth Now
‘Dropped the ball': Dire Covid warning
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. Australians have 'dropped the ball' when it comes to vaccination. NewsWire / Adam Yip Credit: News Corp Australia 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
