The Storm Lake City Council devoted part of its regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting Monday evening to a worksession on vape and consumable products, with a focus on the misuse and sale of nitrous oxide—commonly known as “whippets”—at local smoke shops.
The session was prompted by Councilperson Maggie Martinez and included a letter from a Storm Lake resident whose daughter was hospitalized twice this year for nitrous oxide addiction. The letter describes repeated sales to the impaired individual and multiple traffic incidents.
Joining the meeting via Zoom was Andrea Hoyt, Compliance Program Manager with the Iowa Health and Human Services, who outlined what vape shops typically carry—and what falls under state regulation.
Councilperson Martinez shared her own firsthand experience at a local shop.
Hoyt warned of serious health risks associated with nitrous oxide misuse, including hallucinations, neurological damage, and impaired driving.
While Iowa Code 126 prohibits possession with intent to inhale, Hoyt said enforcement is challenging.
Councilperson Meg McKeon called the lack of oversight “disappointing” and urged community awareness.
Council members expressed interest in drafting a local ordinance and may revisit the issue at a future meeting.
