The Los Angeles City Council took decisive action on Wednesday, voting 14‑0 to ban the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide by tobacco and cannabis retailers. The ordinance, which now heads to Mayor Karen Bass for consideration, includes an exemption for pre‑packaged foods that use nitrous oxide as a propellant.

Local leaders champion the ban

Councilmember Imelda Padilla, who has worked on the policy for two years, highlighted recent state legislation that gives cities clear authority to restrict nitrous oxide. “SB 758 prohibits smoke shops, tobacco retailers and convenience stores from selling nitrous oxide altogether. SB 9336 bans flavored nitrous oxide and restricts the sale of large unflavored tanks, commonly used recreationally,” Padilla said.

Padilla added that these laws provide local governments with “more tools to keep these products off store shelves and strengthen the protection we have here in Los Angeles.” Council President Marqueece Harris‑Dawson thanked Padilla and Councilman Tim McOsker for their leadership, as well as youth advocates who have been pressing for the ban.

Health and safety concerns drive the effort

Representatives of the San Fernando Valley Partnership, a nonprofit focused on healthy communities, urged council members to act. Albert Melena noted the growing problem of discarded nitrous oxide tanks littering neighborhoods, describing them as “a warning sign of how available this product is.” He cited a study indicating that 73% of Los Angeles schools are within 1,000 feet of a smoke shop, framing the issue as a public‑health threat.

Students from Bert Corona Charter High School also spoke during the public comment period, emphasizing that removing nitrous oxide from smoke shops would create safer environments for them and future generations.

Next steps and broader implications

The ordinance now moves to the mayor’s desk. In addition, the council asked the City Attorney’s Office to draft a separate ordinance that would expand criminal liability to any retailer offering nitrous oxide without a legitimate use, further tightening local control.

Los Angeles joins a growing list of municipalities that have taken steps to curb recreational nitrous oxide use. By adopting the ban, the city aims to protect its youth, reduce litter, and reinforce community health standards.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.