The Tennessee Legislature is strongly considering restricting the retail sale of nitrous oxide products in vape shops.
Public health researchers are seeing a rise in serious injuries and deaths nationwide. Under the Tennessee proposed law, vape shops caught selling nitrous oxide would face escalating fines.
Repeat violations could result in the suspension or revocation of licenses. Manufacturers who knowingly distribute banned products could be fined up to $10,000 per product.
Often referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide has long been used in medical and dental settings and is legally sold as a culinary product, most commonly in whipped cream canisters.
But researchers said the versions now widely available in smoke and vape shops are repackaged, flavored and marketed for recreational use, with dangerous consequences.
