San José lawmakers are aiming to crack down on the proliferation of smoke shops and the sale of nitrous oxide canisters, or "whip-its." Officials are calling it a growing public health issue among youth, especially due to its easy accessibility. Inhaling nitrous oxide recreationally, which can deliver a short, euphoric high, poses "serious health risks, including neurological damage and in some cases, death," Rachel Roberts, San José's deputy director of code enforcement, said during Tuesday's meeting.
