
Homer Glen board votes to ban nitrous oxide to prevent recreational use
The Homer Glen Village Board voted Wednesday to ban nitrous oxide sales after village officials learned some people buy the product in tobacco and vape stores for recreational drug use.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, nonflammable gas that is used as an anesthetic, such as laughing gas, or to dispense whipped cream.
But flavored nitrous oxide canisters have become popular and offer a variety of different sized containers to purchase, village officials said. When inhaled, the user can get a euphoria or high.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning earlier this year that intentional misuse or inhalation can lead to serious problems including asphyxiation, blood clots, loss of consciousness, palpitations, paralysis, psychiatric disturbances and other adverse health effects.
Regularly inhaling nitrous oxide can lead to prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping the use, the FDA said. It can also lead to death, the FDA said.
'We don't need it in our village,' said Homer Glen Trustee Curt Mason, chair of the village's Public Services and Safety Committee. 'It's another addiction. It's another method for people to make money off the demise of our children, and it's not going to happen here.'
Nitrous oxide is sold under multiple brand names such as Galaxy Gas, MassGass, and Whip-it!, according to the FDA.
Village Manager Joe Baber said because of way it can be misused, it's concerning. Flavored nitrous oxide containers appear to be marketed to children, he said.
'We are trying to nip it before it becomes a problem in Homer Glen,' said Baber, who also chairs the village's Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery Committee.
Homer Glen officials modeled their ordinance on the village of Manhattan, whose officials banned the sale of nitrous oxide containers last year.
Manhattan Village Administrator Jeff Wold said officers were concerned seeing nitrous oxide cartridges or canisters in cars during traffic stops, including teenaged drivers.
Officials found that the products were sold online on retailers such as Amazon and also next to cigarettes and vaping products in stores that aren't selling whipped cream, Wold said.
The Manhattan Village Board approved the ban on nitrous oxide sales in February 2024. Wold said the village sent tobacco and vape shops certified mail, and he spoke personally with the managers of the stores to let them know of the ordinance.
The village gave the stores a few weeks to remove the product from their shelves, and the village has not had an issue with compliance in the past year, Wold said.
The Will County Health Department does not have data on nitrous oxide usage.
'Nitrous oxide containers sold in tobacco/vape stores allows for easier access and this poses a threat to young people,' Dr. Kathleen Burke, the program coordinator for substance use initiatives at the Will County Health Department, said in a statement. 'They are able to purchase the containers and use the nitrous oxide to get high. Without preventing vape/tobacco stores from selling the product, it is very difficult to stop the misuse.'
In Homer Glen, liquor, tobacco and vape shops caught selling nitrous oxide would face a maximum fine of $500 for the first offense and could have their business license revoked if they were caught a second time, Baber said.
The Will County sheriff's office conducts compliance checks on liquor and tobacco stores to ensure they aren't selling items to underaged consumers, and officers could check they aren't selling nitrous oxide as well, Baber said.
Homer Glen Trustee Nicholas Muller, a sergeant with the Oak Forest Police Department, said banning the sales of nitrous oxide makes sense for the public health and safety of the village.
It was only recently that a man in his 20s who had used nitrous oxide was involved in a crash and hit a bus shelter near 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, Muller said. A few years ago, a teenager who had used nitrous oxide crashed into a tree, Muller said.
'You don't know what it will do to someone's mental state,' Muller said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Fungi concerns prompt recall for certain Orajel, Zicam products
Fungi concerns prompt recall for certain Orajel, Zicam products Church & Dwight said this recall is limited exclusively to certain Zicam and Orajel swab products. Show Caption Hide Caption How to brush your teeth better You can get cleaner teeth with this brushing routine. ProblemSolved, USA TODAY The manufacturer of Orajel teething swabs and Zicam cold relief products has voluntarily issued a nationwide recall due to possible fungal contamination, according to a notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Church & Dwight Co., Inc. announced the recall on Friday, June 6, for certain Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs and Orajel Baby Teething Swabs. The affected products, which were distributed nationwide in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, may contain microbial contamination, identified as fungi, in the cotton swab components. Swabs containing fungi can potentially present "significant risk to the health and safety of consumers," including serious and life-threatening blood infections in consumers whose nasal cavity's mucous membrane lining may be compromised due to inflammation and mechanical injuries, according to the FDA recall notice. The health risks of using the recalled products are highest, and potentially severe or life-threatening, among children and people with compromised immune systems or other underlying medical conditions, according to the notice. What are the recalled Church & Dwight products? According to Church & Dwight, the recalled products include: Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, with UPC 732216301205, all lots: A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold. A zinc-free, homeopathic cold remedy swab designed to shorten the duration of the common cold. Zicam Nasal AllClear Swabs, with UPC 732216301656, all lots: A nasal cleansing swab product that was discontinued in December 2024. A nasal cleansing swab product that was discontinued in December 2024. Orajel Baby Teething Swabs, with UPC 310310400002, all lots: Pre-moistened swabs designed to soothe teething discomfort in infants and toddlers. What should consumers do? Individuals who have bought any of the recalled Church & Dwight products should stop using them immediately, according to the consumer goods company. Consumers can visit or call its consumer relations team at (800) 981-4710 for a full refund. Any additional questions can also be directed to its consumer relations team Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced while using the recalled products can be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by regular mail or by fax. Individuals can complete and submit the report online. According to Church & Dwight, this recall is limited exclusively to Zicam and Orajel swab products. All other Zicam and Orajel products, including Zicam RapidMelts, are not affected by this recall.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Factbox-Vaccine actions and policy positions under US Health Secretary Kennedy
(Reuters) -U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic, has been making sweeping changes to reshape U.S. regulation of vaccines, food and medicine. The most far-reaching of his moves culminated in the layoff of all 17 members of a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts. Here are some of the policy moves under Kennedy's leadership in recent months, related to vaccines: FDA Recommendations for Influenza Vaccines Date of Announcement: March 13, 2025 Details: The FDA independently recommends virus strains for the 2025-2026 influenza vaccines, deviating from traditional advisory committee voting. This move assures no impact on the timing or availability of vaccines for the public. Environmental Toxin Studies Related to Autism Date of Announcement: April 16, 2025 Details: Kennedy plans studies on environmental contributors to autism, including vaccines, despite lacking scientific evidence. This approach aligns with his longstanding views on vaccines and environmental factors. Launch of US Autism Project Using Medicare and Medicaid Data Date of Announcement: May 7, 2025 Details: Federal agencies will create a database to research autism causes, focusing on Medicare and Medicaid data, as part of a broader effort to explore potential links between vaccines and autism. FDA Tightens Requirements for COVID Vaccine Date of Announcement: May 20, 2025 Details: The FDA plans new trials for annual COVID-19 boosters, limiting them to older adults and those at risk of severe illness. This change aligns with international perspectives on COVID vaccination strategies. US Drops COVID Vaccine Recommendation for Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women Date of Announcement: May 27, 2025 Details: The U.S. stops recommending routine COVID vaccinations for pregnant women and healthy children, bypassing the CDC's traditional advisory process. Cancellation of Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine Contract Date of Announcement: May 28, 2025 Details: The Trump administration cancels a contract with Moderna for the late-stage development of its bird flu vaccine, after determining it did not meet scientific standards. Moderna explores alternatives for its vaccine's development. Kennedy Guts Vaccine Advisory Committee Date of Announcement: June 9, 2025 Details: Kennedy fires all members of the CDC vaccine expert panel, which recommends how vaccines are used and by whom, promising to restore public trust in health agencies. Scientists and experts say the changes would undermine public confidence in health agencies.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
US FDA pauses Gilead trials testing experimental HIV pill combination
By Sneha S K (Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has paused Gilead Sciences' trials testing a combination of two of its experimental HIV treatments due to low levels of a type of white blood cell in some patients, the company said on Tuesday. Shares of the company, a global leader in HIV drugs, were down 2.3% at $110.35. The agency placed the trials on hold after some patients who received the combination of the drugs, GS-1720 and GS-4182, were found to have low levels of a type of white blood cell called CD4+T-cell, the company said. Gilead did not provide more information on what caused the decline in the type of white blood cell, which is a key measurement in HIV management and serves as a guide for treatment. The company said it plans to investigate and will work with regulatory authorities to resolve the issues. The paused trials included two mid-to-late studies, and three more in the early phase, the company said. The mid-to-late stage trials were testing the oral combination treatment against Biktarvy, Gilead's once-a-day pill to treat HIV. "Today's update underscores the difficulties of improving upon the profile of Gilead's once-daily Biktarvy," said BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman. GS-4182 is an experimental pill version of the company's approved HIV drug lenacapavir, while GS-1720 is a once-weekly therapy in development for treatment of HIV. The company said the hold is not related to Gilead's application seeking FDA's approval for lenacapavir in preventing HIV. The agency is set to decide on the application by June 19. The FDA had approved lenacapavir for HIV treatment in 2022 and is sold under the brand Sunlenca. Gilead has multiple other long-acting oral and injectable HIV treatment combinations under development, and this clinical hold does not impact those combinations, the drugmaker said.