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Fortuna council hears public health data on nitrous oxide sales, agrees to revisit ordinance with full council
Summary
Humboldt County Public Health presented retail-observation data showing recreational nitrous oxide products for sale in Fortuna and across Humboldt County and described overlap with tobacco retailers; Fortuna police urged local ordinance enforcement; council voted to bring the matter back when a full council is present.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND FORTUNA POLICE presented retail-observation data to the Fortuna City Council on Aug. 18 showing recreational nitrous oxide products are available in local retail outlets, including three smoke shops in Fortuna, and urged local controls to limit youth access.
The presentation, by Katie Jo Slaughter of Humboldt County Public Health, said the county completed 144 retail observations from October 2024 to April 2025 and found nitrous oxide products located in plain sight at 24 outlets. "Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is used appropriately in health care settings for sedation and pain relief," Slaughter said, adding that recreational use can cause dizziness, fainting and, in severe cases, hypoxia.
The presentation said 18 of the 24 outlets with nitrous in plain sight stocked "crackers, canisters, and tanks," five stocked crackers and canisters, and one stocked canisters only. Public health staff said tobacco retailers and smoke shops are a…
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