Labour's associate health spokesman Iain Lees-Galloway is preparing a draft Bill on butane sales restrictions and hopes to have it in next month's members' Bill ballot if he gains the support of his caucus.
The Palmerston North MP, who is Labour's spokesman on mental health and addiction, said the Bill was in response to the recent report from Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean revealing the high number of young people who had died in huffing incidents since 2000.
Judge McLean called on the Social Development Ministry to lead a cross-agency approach to cut the number of deaths. Government ministers agreed such an approach was required but can't decide who should lead it.
"The number of [huffing] deaths is quite significant and actually quite a lot higher than the deaths associated with some other substances that we're much tougher on, so I think it certainly warrants a public discussion," Mr Lees-Galloway said.
"The obvious concern with taking a legislative approach is that there is a wide range of products that do contain butane. If we were to pursue this, we would want to make sure it wasn't too onerous on people.
"I think the fact that some retailers are doing this voluntarily is a signal that it's workable."
Since Judge MacLean's report, several South Island Mitre 10 stores and Placemakers stores nationwide have banned the sale of butane-based products to people under 18, however, a "uniform approach" was important.
"There will always be a tail of retailers who won't do so voluntarily so it would be good if they were required to follow suit with these responsible retailers."
New Zealand Police yesterday praised the retailers for their actions.
National prevention manager Superintendent Bruce Bird said everyone had a role to play in finding a solution to huffing and police were doing all they could to prevent any further tragic deaths.
"Police, just like retailers, are one part of that solution. I was heartened to hear that major retailers such as Placemakers and Mitre 10 are taking their moral obligations seriously and have realised they can do something to be part of the solution."
Earlier this year, New Zealand Police released a national youth policing plan to 2015, which includes working with schools and community groups to educate and work with at-risk youth in relation to the dangers of abusing alcohol, drugs and solvents.
Mr Lees-Galloway believed there was a "good case" for legislation enforcing age bans on butane products, but it was possible things like fly spray, lighter refills and lpg canisters should also be covered.
"If the Bill were to get drawn and made it to select committee it would be something we'd want to hear people's views on ...what products should be captured by legislation like this?"
He acknowledged placing restrictions on the sale of butane was not necessarily "in isolation" the answer to the problem, as social drivers also needed to be taken in to account.
"There's always a range of responses to substance abuse, but placing sensible restrictions on the sale of butane could be part of the answer."
