Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor David J. Canepa, District 5
Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Adopt a Resolution Affirming the County’s Commitment to Preventing Youth Nitrous Oxide Abuse and Directing the County Executive’s Office to Have Prepared an Ordinance Banning the Sale and Distribution of Nitrous Oxide and to Explore Other Actions that Further Protect Youth from Nitrous Oxide Abuse
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution affirming the County’s commitment to preventing youth nitrous oxide abuse and directing the County Executive’s Office to have prepared an Ordinance banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide and to explore other actions that further protect youth from nitrous oxide abuse.
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BACKGROUND:
The misuse and abuse of nitrous oxide or “whippets” can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health complications that negatively impact a user’s physical and psychological health. Despite the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse, recreational use has been rising rapidly among youth across the world. In 2019, a U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration survey found inhalant use among Americans aged 12 to 17 increased 2.2 percent from 2016.
In 2009, California took measures to protect the youth from the dangers of recreational nitrous oxide use by prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide to persons under the age of 18. (Cal. Penal Code § 381c). Nevertheless, minors still engage in recreational use of nitrous oxide at alarming rates highlighting the struggle to prevent the sale and marketing of nitrous oxide to minors.
The San Mateo County Youth Commission is responsible for identifying and advocating for concerns faced by the youth of San Mateo County. Pursuant to these duties, the Youth Commission, along with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, has identified that the youth in San Mateo County are at risk for nitrous oxide abuse, due to the sale of nitrous oxide at shops around the County, potentially without age verification. Finding that the sale and use of nitrous oxide in the County poses a danger to the youth of the County, the Youth Commission raised this issue to the Board.
Other jurisdictions in the State of California including the City of Rialto and the County of Orange have banned the distribution and sale of nitrous oxide.
DISCUSSION:
By adopting this Resolution, the Board of Supervisors acknowledges the importance of addressing nitrous oxide abuse as a critical health concern for young people in San Mateo County.
The Resolution expressly directs the County Executive’s Office to have prepared an Ordinance banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide and present that Ordinance to the Board for its consideration as soon as possible.
Recognizing the impact of nitrous oxide sales to minors, the Resolution also underscores the importance of targeted strategies to educate this population and further exploration of actions the County might take to combat the illegal sale of nitrous oxide for recreational use.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This Resolution is a step towards improving the health and safety of minors in the County, in turn improving broader public health outcomes across the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.