Nitrous Oxide: The Dangerous Inhalant Available At A New Hampshire Gas Station Near You

Stopping in a convenience store or gas station, you probably would not notice the substances being sold to get high. Many of these legal substances are packaged to look harmless or even kid-friendly–some like sweets. As easily accessible as these products are, they’re a growing danger to our kids.

One such substance, nitrous oxide, is an inhalant that causes a brief but intense high. It’s used legally in a variety of settings. You might recognize it from the medical setting where it’s used as a sedative and often referred to as laughing gas. The pressurized gas cans are also used in culinary settings (think: whipped cream cans). Less known is its use in car racing to provide the engine more power. In this setting, it’s referred to as “NOS” or Nitrous Oxide Systems.

Nitrous oxide can quickly lower blood pressure, resulting in headaches, dizziness, and fainting. In rare situations, it can cause serious health problems like seizures, severe vitamin B12 deficiency, frostbite (because temperature drops quickly when inhaled), or dependency. Long-term use can lead to many negative health conditions like nerve damage, chronic fatigue, weakened immune system, and cognitive decline.

NH is closing the regulatory gap on nitrous oxide and other intoxicating substances

New Hampshire is making progress to reduce access to harmful addictive substances despite strong commercial interests. Starting January 1, 2027, a new law explicitly bans the sale of nitrous oxide and certain inhalants for recreational purposes in stores with Liquor Commission licensees. It outlaws flavored products marketed to youth while protecting legitimate uses. Additional legislation limited access to other intoxicating substances like THC-derived products this session.

While we celebrate this legislative win, we are reminded most substance use prevention happens at home and in our communities. It’s what we do every day to show up for young people that helps them avoid or delay substance use. When we build trust, take an active interest in their well-being, and create space for young people to feel safe to share, we set the table for meaningful conversations about substance use. As a parent or caretaker, your influence on their choices is stronger than you think.

Save the Date! We hope you will join all of us at Makin It Happen on October 7, 2026 for Under the Radar at Southern New Hampshire University. Under the Radar is a seminar for organizations that serve youth, their parents/caregivers, young adults, and people in recovery addressing the sale and use of unregulated intoxicants in the Greater Manchester Region. Registration details are coming soon.

The Partnership @drugfreeNH hosted a webinar on Unregulated Intoxicants: Kratom, Inhalants, and Other “Convenience Store” Substances at the Partnership Convening on May 15th, 2026. Currently, these substances all lack regulation in New Hampshire, making them easy for youth to access.

• Dr. Mashal Khan, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and an addiction psychiatrist, kicked off the event by covering why young people use these substances and their physiological and psychological impact.
• Lieutenant Ben Williams, with the NH Liquor Commission, talked about the need for vendor education and compliance.
• Katy Shea Morgan, with the NH Technical Assistance Center, shared recent communication and education initiatives in NH.
• Kate Frey, with New Futures, gave an update on legislative policy actions.

Missed the Convening? Review the webinar recording, speakers’ slides, and factsheets for Unregulated Intoxicants: Kratom, Inhalants, and Other “Convenience Store” Substances. Discover how NH partners are working together to increase awareness and limit access to these emerging drugs.