AN EXAMPLE of “whippits” for sale in a smoke shop.

Enforcement of a ban on the sale and distribution of nitrous oxidein Huntington Beach is now in effect.

According to the HBPD, the ordinance curbing traffic of what’s various known as “laughing gas,” “NOX,” “galaxy gas” or “whippits” – with some exceptions including use in dentistry and medicine – creates a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense, and businesses violating the ordinance – which went into effect on Dec. 4, 2025 could suffer the loss of a business license.

A combined effort of city code enforcement staff and the HBPD’s Special Investigations Bureau recently staged undercover operations at smoke shops, where nitrous oxide and marijuana were sold.

Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that can be abused; people inhaling nitrous oxide can suffer from a variety of side effects, including dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating and hallucinations.