Canada Recalls Nitrous Oxide Products for Recreational Use Over Fatality Risks

Canadian officials say they have never approved such products and urge consumers not to use nitrous oxide recreationally.

As recreational nitrous oxide use continues to raise concerns in the U.S., Canadian health officials took action this week, recalling a dozen brands from the market and banning the sale of similar products.

On Monday, Health Canada announced a nitrous oxide charger recall and ban, telling citizens of the country that nitrous oxide should not be used for recreational purposes. The affected products were sold as “cream chargers” but were never authorized to be sold on the Canadian market, according to the recall announcement.

Traditionally used in medical and food preparation, nitrous oxide has become increasingly available in smoke shops and online stores where it is sold in small, colorful canisters, often in various flavors. Marketed as “laughing gas” and “whippits”, the canisters are intended for inhalation in order to create brief feelings of euphoria or detachment.

However, this growing trend has raised serious safety concerns in the U.S., Canada and other countries, as inhaling nitrous oxide is linked to oxygen deprivation and lasting neurological harm. Health experts are actively warning that repeated or prolonged use may result in nerve damage, spinal cord injury, brain damage, or even death. 

As these dangers have become more widely recognized, injured users and families are beginning to file nitrous oxide lawsuits now claiming that smoke shops and distributors sold these products for recreational inhalation without providing warnings about the severe and sometimes permanent side effects.

Health Canada announced that 11 different nitrous oxide cream charger products were being pulled from the market. They were sold under the brand names Bamboozle, Best Whip, Gold Whip, GreatWhip, Prime Whip and Whip-It! Some products were sold in flavors such as Lemon Mint Ice, Strawberry, Passion Fruit and Red Bull.

“Do not inhale nitrous oxide products for recreational purposes. If you use prescription nitrous oxide recreationally and experience side effects, seek medical attention immediately.”

– Health Canada

Officials indicated that none of the affected products had market authorization. However, they also called attention to the safety risks, recommending consumers avoid using nitrous oxide recreationally, and report any health-related side effects to Health Canada.

U.S. Response to Nitrous Oxide Use

In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a nitrous oxide overdose warning in March, indicating the agency is receiving a growing number of reports about serious health problems, including brain damage, paralysis, hallucinations and death, related to an increase in nitrous oxide sales through vape shops and convenience stores.

In September, Florida officials announced the results of an undercover sting operation that resulted in 70 felony arrests and 16 warrants, all targeting vape shops and other retailers who illegally sold nitrous oxide.

The sting operation involved undercover agents who were sent to buy nitrous oxide canisters from businesses with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licenses. The agents reported that not only were the stores often willing to sell them nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, retailers also instructed them on how to use the canisters to get a recreational high.

A study published in JAMA Network Open in July, showed that more than 13 million consumers in the U.S. say they have inhaled nitrous oxide at least once in their lifetime. The findings indicated nitrous oxide overdose deaths jumped from 23 in 2010, to 156 deaths in 2023, a 578% increase over 14 years.

Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits

Canada’s actions are part of a growing global awareness of nitrous oxide risks that have also impacted U.S. neighborhoods and families, leading to an increasing number of nitrous oxide injury lawsuits.

In the U.S., nitrous oxide canisters are widely available through smoke shops, gas stations and online retailers, often under brand names like Baking Bad, Cosmic Gas, Galaxy Gas, HOTWHIP, InfusionMax, MassGass, Miami Magic and Whip-it!

Plaintiffs say the manufacturers have failed to provide adequate warnings and used deceptive marketing tactics to promote the canisters as safe or harmless. Former users and family members seek to hold those manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by them placing profits over consumer safety.

Nitrous oxide injury and wrongful death lawyers are currently offering free consultations to individuals and families nationwide who may be eligible for compensation through a nitrous oxide injury lawsuit.

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