NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Have you ever been carded for whipped cream? It’s now illegal to sell the sweet treat to anyone under the age of 21 due to a law targeting nitrous oxide abuse.
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The change comes because the cans use nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, as a propellant. Nitrous oxide is also a popular inhalant.
Getting high off products that use nitrous oxide is nothing new. In fact, the slang term “whip-it” for nitrous oxide originates from whipped cream.
The bill that placed the restriction on whipped cream cans went into effect almost a year ago, but public awareness is just now starting to catch up.
The law was targeting the disposable chargers for reusable whipped cream canisters which are easier to abuse and sometimes even market themselves as a drug.
“This new law is an important step in combating a significant problem for many neighborhoods throughout my district,” said New York State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, a sponsor of the bill. “Used whippits piling up in our communities are not only an eye sore, but also indicative of a significant nitrous oxide abuse problem. This law will help to protect our youth from the dangers of this lethal chemical, while helping to clean up our neighborhoods.”
Stores can be charged $250 for the first offense of selling a nitrous oxide product to someone under 21 and $500 for following offenses.
The new practice started gaining widespread attention after a photo from an Albany County grocery store went viral online.
The picture shows a hand-written sign announcing the store would start to card shoppers who were buying whipped cream.
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