Adding chemicals to volatile substance products, such as bittering agents or odorants, can create an unpleasant or nauseating effect when inhaled, making the substance less desirable for those seeking intoxication. However, some efforts have altered the intended function of the product by reducing effectiveness and even safety, negatively impacting legitimate users’ experience of the product and therefore sales. It also came with increased production costs, leading to higher prices for consumers. 

Unfortunately, adding deterrent chemicals that alter taste or smell does not necessarily deter all use. Studies found that while it was more likely to deter first-time or experimental users, those who regularly use volatile substances were able to find ways to bypass the taste/smell. This has the potential to encourage the use of other substances. (D’abbs and Maclean – Volatile substance misuse: A review of interventions).

The modification of the delivery method of a product has achieved some success with, for example, aerosol products reformulated to be delivered via pump action. However, the desire for the volatile substance has motivated efforts to seek alternative ways of accessing the substance by puncturing or removing the nozzle, which could potentially create unintended dangers. 

Modifying the package to include safety warning labels may also serve as a deterrent, by providing consumers with information about the dangers of inhaling certain substances. For example, most aerosols currently feature the following warning (or something similar) on their packaging: Intentionally inhaling the contents of this product may be fatal.

From 1 October 2023, the Australian Government rescheduled nitrous oxide under the national Poisons Standard as a Schedule 6 (S6) poison. Manufacturers must now follow packaging and labelling rules and apply mandatory warnings with the words:

• "WARNING – May cause irreversible nerve damage if inhaled."
• "Do not intentionally inhale contents."

For more information, see The law and Nitrous oxide pages of this website. 

Making products less suitable for inhalation by altering their consistency or form is another product modification strategy. Examples include modifying a solvent to make it thicker and harder to vaporise, and another is to convert a liquid into a gel or foam, thereby making it less attractive and more difficult to inhale. 
 

A range of products have successfully had the psychoactive components removed including liquid paper, some marker pens and certain paints. Aerosols, refrigerants and fire extinguishers have also had ingredients removed, however this was motivated by environmental concerns rather than to reduce VSU. 

While the phasing out and eventual ban of leaded petrol globally was for broader health and environmental reasons, the removal of lead from petrol was the beginning of positive efforts to reduce harm from petrol sniffing. The most successful strategy aimed specifically at reducing petrol sniffing is the reformulation of regular unleaded petrol in 2005, with the introduction of low aromatic fuel (LAF).