There’s been a trend students may have heard of lately – promises of a gas made of stars, when really it’s just nitrous oxide, stirring up controversy for being used as an inhalant despite its branded intent being cooking.
It’s a new, fresh twist on an old drug, with a resurge among teenagers, articles dating back to 2012. Laughing gas, whippets, nitrous oxide – whatever you may call it, it’s being rebranded and sold, with potential nefarious uses afoot. Now, it’s often sold as “Galaxy Gas” or “Whippets.”
Labeled and marketed as a cooking product, and sold at various liquor and smoke shops across the US. But why would a cooking product be sold next to vapes, cigarettes and those little BuzzBallz right at the counter?
When questioned about whipped cream chargers, or even hearing the name mentioned, the cashiers appeared visibly uncomfortable or were at a loss of words. All of the liquor stores that had been visited during an attempt of digging for more context had refused to state anything about the divisive product, including its purpose.
One of the cashiers had the idea that the interview could harm his business.
These are being sold in liquor stores, where those under the influence are potentially more open to suggestions. There’s potential for the vulnerable adults, apparently despite being an innocuous cooking product. It can only be sold to those adults and generally anyone over 21.
If an innocuous cooking product, children could probably buy it. They’re even making candied flavors much like what the infamous JUUL company was sued for.
The storm surrounding Galaxy Gas surrounds its flavors, ones reminiscent of and comparable to JUUL, and its past use of different, colorful flavors.
There are various flavors that could arguably be marketed to children. They’ve got blue raspberry, strawberry cream and mango smoothie.
This is shown by going to their website and its terms and conditions. They clearly state that despite it being a completely culinary product, you must be the legal age of 21. They also cover themselves by stating that it’s illegal to do anything other than cook with their products.
“Unfortunately inhalants can be easy to get because they are typically household items that most people have in their homes,” Maura Reid, School Safety Coordinator, says. “When it comes to nitrous oxide in large quantities it is harder to come by for people. Typically people who abuse nitrous use it in larger quantities.”
They know. These stores and shops, these big companies, they know. They know that they’re attracting everyone, and that includes teenagers. They know they aren’t selling a cooking product.
Guilt simply refuses to show up.