By JOSE HERRERA | City News Service
The Los Angeles City Council called for a ban on the sale of nitrous oxide across the city, with some exceptions.
In a 14-0 vote, council members asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance prohibiting tobacco and cannabis retailers from selling, offering for sale, distributing or exposing for sale nitrous oxide products, whether flavored or non-flavored.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado was absent during the vote.
The ordinance would set exemptions for medical, food service, automotive and industrial uses. It would also exempt pre-packaged retail food products in which nitrous oxide is used solely as a propellant, such as whipped cream products.
Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Eunisses Hernandez introduced a motion seeking a ban on the sale of nitrous oxide on Oct. 8, 2024. Their effort was seconded by Councilmember Tim McOsker.
The proposed ordinance is expected to be similar to one enacted by the city of Rialto in 2017, which also prohibited the sale of nitrous oxide at certain stores within city limits.
Padilla sought to curb the sale of the product due to what she described as a “misuse of nitrous oxide” as an inhalant. This misuse has documented public health risks such as oxygen deprivation and associated neurological and cardiovascular harm.
Beyond an immediate threat to public safety, the council member further cited the issue of canisters being discarded on public streets.
“Given the increasing availability of recreationally marketed nitrous oxide products in smoke shops, this targeted retail restriction would proactively curb access in outlets unrelated to legitimate business purposes,” Padilla said in a letter sent to the council’s Public Safety Committee on Feb. 26, 2026.
“Crucially, by providing clear exemptions, we ensure that the economic vitality of our lawful medical, culinary and industrial small businesses remains protected,” the letter continued.
Nitrous oxide, also referred to as NOz or laughing gas, among other names, is a trending drug that is extremely addictive, harmful and easily accessible at smoke and tobacco shops in Los Angeles, according to the motion.
When inhaled, it can lead to strokes, paralysis, heart failure and death from asphyxiation, officials said. It can be purchased in small “whippet” canisters, originally designed for making whipped cream and in medium to large industrial tanks, in which the gas is dispensed into balloons for inhalation.
California law allows individuals 18 years and older to purchase nitrous oxide as long it is not inhaled after purchase. The restriction was created to allow for nitrous oxide’s common use in certain industries such as culinary and automotive. But this restriction has made it difficult to enforce the law, allowing vendors such as smoke shops and liquor stores to sell nitrous oxide products, the motion reads.
Vendors have introduced flavored nitrous oxide, and studies have shown that adding flavors and colorful packaging play a key role in getting young people to use products.
“City of Rialto officials have stated that their aggressive approach was intended to prevent the untimely and unnecessary deaths of their youth,” the motion reads. “In order to prevent negative impacts to our communities, it is time for the city to address this growing issue.”
Ray Marquez, vice president of Homeboy Industry’s Youth Council, urged the City Council to advance the ban. He said the misuse of nitrous oxide is a growing issue, and that it can damage or destroy brain cells and lower the presence of the vitamin B12 in the body, leading to a condition called hypoxia, which leaves people numb in parts of the body and in some cases can result in death.
“A big reason I want to spread awareness for this problem is because growing up in Watts, I see drugs everywhere. I seen peers, and family members do it, and nitrous oxide was one of them,” Marquez said.
“Recently, one of my close friends had passed away because of the use of nitrous oxide, and I want to spread awareness,” Marquez added.