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Homer Glen adopts ordinance banning retail sale and recreational use of nitrous oxide
Summary
The village board approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes after public‑safety concerns and committee review; trustees cited youth access and a recent crash involving nitrous oxide as reasons for the ban.
The Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees on May 14 adopted an ordinance that prohibits the retail sale and recreational use of nitrous oxide within village limits.
Trustee Mason, who led the item in the Public Service and Safety committee, described the product’s local sales appearing in vape and tobacco shops and said committee members unanimously recommended the ordinance. “If you're gonna sell nitrous oxide at tobacco or vape shop, it's not for your vehicle to go faster ... it's for malicious uses because they're selling it as flavored nitrous oxide, and kids are using it,” Mason said.
Trustees noted the public‑safety rationale. Trustee Mueller described responding to a crash he said involved a driver using nitrous oxide and described large canisters used recreationally. Other trustees said they wanted to limit another potential avenue of substance use among youths.
The board moved and seconded the ordinance and approved it at the meeting; the clerk's roll call recorded ayes and the mayor announced, “Motion carries.” The ordinance makes retail sale and recreational use of nitrous oxide a prohibited activity in the village; enforcement and penalty provisions will be administered under the village code.
What the ordinance does: It prohibits retail sale and distribution of nitrous oxide for recreational use at local tobacco/vape retailers and similar establishments, and makes recreational possession/consumption a prohibited act under village ordinance language adopted May 14. The text was advanced from the public safety committee and described as targeted at preventing youth access.
