from View Point, National Inhalant Prevention Coalition's
Spring 1997 newsletter, p. 5.
Many state legislatures across the country have worked to provide deterrents to youth who buy legal products to get high. The following list is a summary of current state laws that prevent the sale and/or distribution to minors of various inhalants. Thirty-six states have such laws and others (indicated by *) are currently working to pass or expand current inhalant legislation.
NOTE: Information was compiled from the National Conference on State Legislatures and may not be a full report on legislative efforts.
State | Law Prohibits | Substance | Fine | Jail | Treatment |
Arizona | sale, transfer, or offer to sell | vapor releasing substance containing toxic substance | |||
California | sale, distribution, dispensation, possession | toluene, materials containing toluene, nitrous oxide | |||
Colorado | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Connecticut* | sale, distribution | nitrous oxide, including "whippet kits" | |||
Georgia | general inhalants, also under DUI law | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Florida | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Hawaii | sale of toluol or inhalable compounds | liquid/chemical containing toluol, inhalable substances | |||
Idaho | possession or use of inhalant to get high | aerosol spray, other inhalant | |||
Illinois | knowingly sel, offer, deliver | liquid/chemical containing toluol inhalable substances | |||
Kentucky | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Louisiana | prohibits sale or transfer of possession | model glue, inhalable toluene substances | |||
Maine* | inhaling toxic vapors for effect | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Maryland | distribution, instruction to a minor | drugs/noxious substances, including butyl nitrite | |||
Massachusetts | Retailers need ID for sale; inhalants required to have noxious deterrents against intoxication | glue or cement | |||
Michigan | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Minnesota | sale, use and possession for intoxication; business must post signs for butane | general inhalable compounds, butane/butane lighters | |||
Mississippi | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Nebraska | retailers must maintain registry of sale | general inhalable compounds | |||
Nevada | sale or offer to give | aerosol paint, glue, cement containing toluene | |||
New Hampshire | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | toxic vapors, not including anesthesia | |||
New Jersey | sell or offer to sell | product containing chlorofluorocarbon that is used in refrigerant | |||
New Mexico | sale, inhaling, possessing for intoxication | model c lue, aerosol spray, & chemicals for intoxication | |||
North Carolina | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
North Dakota | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Ohio | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Oklahoma | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Oregon | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Pennsylvania | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds; butane/canisters | |||
Rhode Island | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
South Carolina | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
South Dakota | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Tennessee | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Texas* | possess, sale, buy; business posts signage & pays license fees designated for education | abuse volatile chemicals | |||
Utah | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds | |||
Vermont | inhaling fumes for effect | certain hazardous inhalants, glues | |||
Virginia | inhaling certain compounds for intoxication | general prohibition of inhalable compounds |
NOTE: Information was compiled from the National Conference on State Legislatures and may not be a full report on legislative efforts.