Holidaymakers heading to Cyprus for a week in the sun and nights at the club should take care after a new policy has been introduced.

In an update to travel advice for the island laughing gas – also known as NOS or nitrous oxide – has been banned across the country.

The drug is often seen made available in the form of balloons which are filled up from canisters and inhaled.

READ MORE: Brits reveal biggest regrets on boozy Ayia Napa holidays from orgies to dodgy tattoos

Partygoers at clubbing resorts like Ayia Napa can often be spotted lying on the pavement or sitting on the beach huffing fumes from the balloons which have previously been sold on the strip.

Holidaymakers should be aware of the change in rules and avoid nitrous oxide when enjoying the sun, sea and cocktails.

Ayia Napa is the largest tourist resort in Cyprus, with a 27,000-person-bed capacity and more than 175 hotels and apartments of all sizes.

In 2017, the resort received over 700,000 tourists and accommodated 5 million overnight stays, representing approximately 30 percent of all overnight stays.

Plenty of Brits head to the resort area each year – and many go wild while there.

Holidaymakers have recently revealed their biggest regrets from Ayia Napa including orgies and dodgy tattoos.

But, laughing gas should be avoided at all costs.

Now, anyone caught with the drug can receive a fine or even a prison sentence.

Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards illegal drugs, which now includes laughing gas. The Foreign Office has subsequently updated its travel advice to warn Brits.

The new advice explains: "Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards illegal drugs, which now includes laughing gas. If you are caught with any type of narcotic you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine. The rules against possession of illegal drugs are stricter than in the UK."

The restrictions against the possession of illegal drugs are stricter in Cyprus than they are in the UK.

The current judicial processing delays mean that court cases can take up to two years to be scheduled and adjournments happen regularly in Cyprus.

Other travel warnings about Cyprus are listed on the gov.uk website.

It states: "Around one million British nationals visit Cyprus every year.

"Most visits are trouble-free, however we advise British nationals that we are not able to offer full consular support to those visiting the areas in the north of the island which are not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus."

You should also not attempt to take meat, milk or products containing them into Cyprus.

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