On Nov. 18, Fullerton City Council voted to update their municipal code, banning the unlawful distribution and sale of nitrous oxide citywide.
In updating their municipal code, Fullerton is aligning itself with other Orange County cities in the regulation of nitrous oxide, with the new local laws helping to cite retailers and distributors rather than just the user, as the state law already cites.
Violators will be subject to a misdemeanor citation and up to $1,000 fine.
Nitrous oxide, also known as “NOX” or “whippets” when used recreationally, is an odorless, colorless gas commonly used in the medical field as an anesthetic. However, the gas is also used by some recreationally due to its sedative effect on the body’s nervous system.
According to the National Library of Medicine, long term exposure to the gas, even in small amounts, can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency which can lead to neurological damage.
In the city, there has been a steady increase of incidents associated with nitrous oxide from 2020 to 2025. This includes a 700% increase in traffic collisions and a 328% increase in arrests involving the gas, according to a presentation shown during the meeting.
According to Fullerton Police Department Captain Pedram Gharah, 18 to 25 is the typical age group arrested for possession of the gas.
The cities of Stanton, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have enacted similar bans on the gas with the cities of Anaheim, Orange and La Habra looking to enact tighter regulations on smoke shops and require that retailers that sell tobacco have city permits, according to the Voice of OC.
During the presentation, Gharah also made note that if the update passes, the Fullerton Police Department will create a social media campaign regarding the new ordinance and the risks of nitrous oxide when used recreationally.
Fullerton Councilmembers Ahmad Zahra and Jamie Valencia expressed that the department campaign even more on the issue. Zahra suggested reaching out to Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton while Valencia suggested reaching out to local high schools in order to further spread the campaign.
“As a trauma ER nurse, I get kids all the time that do whippets in their cars and light a cigarette and smoke pot and they deglove their whole face and scorch it,” Valencia said. “It’s crazy the amount of use I’ve seen this with the underage population.”
Daily Titan News Editor Michelle King covered this topic for Voice of OC, but did not contribute to the production of this article.