Gulf Shores elected officials amended the criminal code of ordinances on Monday to better control the use of nitrous oxide, better knows as laughing gas, within the corporate limits of the city.

Noted within the ordinance is the city’s recognition that the use of nitrous oxide as an intoxicant can pose a significant threat to the health, safety and welfare of the general public, particularly minors. nitrous oxide can be recognized as N20, dinitrogen monoxide, nitrogen oxide, butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, secondary butyl nitrite, tertiary butyl nitrite or laughing gas.

“Nitrous oxide is commonly used in some legitimate applications, but it is also used in certain situations as an intoxicant,” explained Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore. “It is very dangerous when used that way. With the various events that we have in our community, we thought it was important to have something on the books to regulate the sale and use of it.”

Delmore said that the amendment to the code of ordinances does not restrict any legitimate use of nitrous oxide, but only in instances where individuals are attempting to use it unlawfully.

Prohibited Sales and Use

According to the new ordinance, it will be illegal to sell or transfer any nitrous oxide product to anyone under the age of 19, to sell or transfer the product to any person who knowingly has reason to use the product for the purpose of intoxication, or to sell or transfer any substance represented to be nitrous oxide that is contained in any balloon or plastic bag.

Breathing, inhaling or ingesting any fumes, odors or gases from any form of nitrous oxide for the purpose of becoming intoxicated will violate the ordinance.

If someone is found violating the ordinance, each nitrous oxide product that is sold, transferred or possessed in the violation can be punishable as a separate offense.