Manhattan Officials Ban Local Sales Of Laughing Gas

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan officials on Tuesday took a step to ban the local sale of nitrous oxide—commonly known as "laughing gas"—for recreational use.

The substance has been sold in local vaping shops and liquor stores, with people buying it with the intention of inhaling it to induce euphoria or a high, officials said in a release Tuesday. Nitrous oxide is typically used for medical/dental anesthesia or in food service to dispense whipped cream.

Manhattan officials including Mayor Mike Adrieansen, Trustee Ronald Adamski, and Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold spearheaded an ordinance banning the local sale of nitrous oxide. It was unanimously passed at the Feb. 6 Village Board meeting.

"As a parent of two children, I was not aware this dangerous substance was being sold in our community," said Mayor Mike Adrieansen. "By passing this ordinance, we hope to make the general public aware of the issue and the hazards of nitrous oxide abuse."

Officials "are concerned about the potential health hazards associated with inhaling nitrous oxide, which can lead to side effects such as dizziness, dissociation, disorientation, loss of balance, impaired memory, and muscle weakness. Fatalities can occur due to asphyxiation.

"Using it recreationally, is inconsistent with state law and can have long-term effects and habitual use can lead to severe neurological damage or in some cases death due to suffocation," officials said.

As it is not classified as a controlled substance, statistics on the harmful effects of or loss of life due to the use of nitrous oxide are not available, according to officials in the Will County Department of Public Health.

Chief Wold first learned of the issue when he received complaints from parents about their kids purchasing nitrous oxide products at local vape shops. Wold investigated, learning of the sale of nitrous oxide in small containers or cartridges, and brought the issue to the attention of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

Trustee Ron Adamski worked with Chief Wold, Adrieansen and village attorneys to draft the proposed ordinance.

"After my discussion with Chief Wold, I felt a need to put forth a local ordinance to stop these establishments from selling this substance in Manhattan," Adamski said. "They are not selling whipped cream in these places, so there is no reason to sell nitrous oxide to customers. It's essential for communities to address emerging substance abuse issues and take preventive measures to protect public health and safety."

Chief Wold and village officials are reportedly not aware of any other community that has an ordinance specifically targeting the recreational use of nitrous oxide. To address the issue at the state level, Chief Wold reached out to State Representative Anthony DeLuca of the 80th District, which includes Manhattan.

Representative DeLuca is actively working on legislation to amend the criminal code of 2012. The proposed amendment would prohibit the retail sales of Nitrous Oxide in Illinois. Furthermore, violation of this law would be classified as a Class 3 felony.