The Dutch government on Monday announced plans to include nitrous oxide - better known as laughing gas - on its “blacklist” of forbidden drugs, in response to a rapid increase in usage of the gas among the nation’s youth.

In a letter to parliament, Deputy Health Minister Paul Blockhuis said: “recreational use of laughing gas has become a drug problem, and therefore the Opium Law is the right route to tackle this.”

The use of the gas will continue to be allowed by dentists as a pain killer, and by food makers as a propellant in whipped cream cans.

When inhaled, the drug creates a short-lasting euphoria popularly considered harmless. But Blockhouse said that in addition to the danger of users losing consciousness and falling and bumping their heads, or of getting in traffic accidents, the use of the drug could also cause “brain damage.”

“We can no longer accept the risks taken with the health of youth in particular,” he said.