The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday advanced an ordinance that would restrict the retail sale and distribution of nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide-dispensing devices in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County. The proposed ordinance is intended to address growing public health, safety and environmental concerns associated with the non-medical inhalation of nitrous oxide while preserving access for legitimate medical, dental, culinary, automotive, industrial and research purposes.
Sonoma County has documented four deaths since 2018 in which nitrous oxide was identified as a contributing factor. Local hospital emergency rooms treated approximately five patients each month for nitrous oxide-related problems between October and December 2025, according to preliminary County data.
“When products are being sold in ways that encourage misuse and put people’s health at risk, we have a responsibility to respond,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Sonoma County is taking a targeted approach that focuses on preventing harm while preserving access for the many legitimate uses of nitrous oxide.”…