BALLOONATICS

All-time high of 29 deaths from hippy crack craze

- MATT DAVIS

A RECORD number of deaths are being linked to the use of laughing gas.

Nitrous oxide – known as “hippy crack” – is huge among 16 to 24-year-olds.

Earlier this month, Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was ready to “take tough action” on its use.

Nitrous oxide is taken mostly through balloons filled from small metal cylinders that are often seen littering the streets.