Current regulations in context: Scraping Australia's online nitrous oxide market

IF 4.4 2区医学 Q1 SUBSTANCE ABUSE

International Journal of Drug Policy Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104773

Samuel Gresham , Jacques Eugene Raubenheimer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Nitrous oxide is a gas which is often used in the production of whipped cream, but can also be inhaled as a recreational dissociative drug. Usage rates of recreational nitrous oxide appear to be increasing in Australia.

Aims

This study aims to characterise the online nitrous oxide marketplace in Australia to understand the efficacy of current legislation and inform future legislative changes.

Methods

Google Trends data were used to identify top search terms used to find sites selling nitrous oxide. Sites were then identified from these search terms in Google and Bing, which together hold over 98 % of Australia's search engine market. Each identified site was then screened and scraped for product and other relevant data using custom Python scripts.

Results

A total of 93 websites were identified for inclusion, with the top 49 websites fully scraped for products. Overall, 997 products were identified, of which 696 (69.8 %) contained nitrous oxide. Relatively few sites verified the age of users, and many sites provided potentially dangerous bulk pricing incentives. Flavourings were commonly added to nitrous oxide products, potentially attracting younger audiences.

Discussion

These data indicate that legislative change is desperately needed in Australia to minimise the availability of rapidly delivered online-derived nitrous oxide. Legislative bodies should consider a range of supply and demand-based regulations to minimise the well understood personal and societal harms related to nitrous oxide use.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Drug Policy SUBSTANCE ABUSE-

CiteScore

7.80

自引率

11.40%

发文量

307

审稿时长

62 days

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Drug Policy provides a forum for the dissemination of current research, reviews, debate, and critical analysis on drug use and drug policy in a global context. It seeks to publish material on the social, political, legal, and health contexts of psychoactive substance use, both licit and illicit. The journal is particularly concerned to explore the effects of drug policy and practice on drug-using behaviour and its health and social consequences. It is the policy of the journal to represent a wide range of material on drug-related matters from around the world.