California eyeing tough nitrous sales bill

LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- California State Assemblyman Tom Torlakson has introduced a bill to block the sale of products containing nitrous oxide to people under 18.

The Los Angeles Times quoted the Democratic assemblyman Monday as saying the gas, used as a propellant for products like whipped cream in cans, and cooking oil spray, was "a cheap high and considered cool."

Torlakson said, "The law will help by prohibiting sales but also (by) focusing attention on the problem and creating debate and awareness."

Some experts said the proposed legislation is not strict enough to prevent state teens from garnering products with nitrous oxide, such as retail cans of whipped cream.

The only nitrous oxide products not included under the proposed legislation, which has already been approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee, are food products and products used in the dental or medical fields.

Torlakson's proposal comes years after a 2007 California Healthy Kids Survey found significant inhalant use among seventh-graders in Los Angeles.

The survey indicated 17 percent of Los Angeles Unified School District seventh-graders had abused inhalants, compared with 14 percent who used marijuana.