Community Health & Safety Notice
74-15 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING NITROUS OXIDE PRODUCTS; PROTECTING PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE (21); PROHIBITING POSSESSION AND SALE FOR INTOXICATION PURPOSES; REGULATING RETAIL AVAILABILITY; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
You may have recently heard discussion about nitrous oxide products, sometimes called “whippets” or “chargers.” We want to take a moment to explain what this is about and why the City is addressing it.
Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medicine and food preparation. However, it is increasingly being misused as a recreational drug by inhaling the gas from balloons to get a brief high. While the effects may seem short-lived, this practice is dangerous and can deprive the brain of oxygen, leading to impaired judgment, neurological injury, loss of consciousness, and, in some cases, serious injury or death.
Here in our community, we have seen the real-world consequences of this misuse. Impairment from inhalants has been linked to crashes, injuries, and emergency responses that impact not only the user but also innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. These incidents are preventable, and their effects are felt by families, neighborhoods, and our community.
This misuse is often driven by easy access to these products in non-food retail settings and disproportionately affects young people.
The City of Oxford is not banning legitimate uses of nitrous oxide. Restaurants, medical providers, and industrial users will continue to use it lawfully. Our focus is on protecting people under the age of 21, reducing misuse for intoxication, and preventing products associated with real health risks from being sold in places where misuse is most likely.
The goal is to prevent misuse, reduce harm, and protect public safety.
We appreciate the community’s support as we take reasonable steps to protect the health and well-being of our residents. Our department will be visiting businesses to ensure that everyone is informed.
About the Author
