Building on the Success of OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley’s Nitrous Oxide Ban, City of Costa Mesa Proposes Ban on Retail Sales of NOX

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2025

Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley      
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com

Building on the Success of OC Vice Chair Katrina Foley’s Nitrous Oxide Ban, City of Costa Mesa Proposes Ban on Retail Sales of NOX

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Yesterday, the Costa Mesa City Council voted unanimously to give first reading to an ordinance to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide (NOX) within the city. Earlier this year, Supervisor Katrina Foley led the effort to pass a countywide ban on NOX. Supervisor Foley’s office then sent a model ordinance to all Fifth District cities, and Santa Ana, to encourage banning NOX and protecting our public health and safety. Costa Mesa and Santa Ana adopted the model ordinance, with Irvine also considering on a future agenda.

In response to the Costa Mesa City Council’s decision, Supervisor Foley released the following statement of support.

“The City of Costa Mesa demonstrated exactly the kind of leadership our communities need to combat the growing public health and safety threat of NOX abuse. With a decisive 7-0 vote, the Costa Mesa City Council is the first city in District 5 to consider banning NOX, following the ban in neighboring Santa Ana in May. Once the ordinance officially passes, enforcement must follow. Holding retailers accountable for selling a product that is illegal for consumers to possess and inhale closes the state loophole they are exploiting for profit,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This action builds on the City’s strong early enforcement efforts, where Costa Mesa Police Department’s sting operation confiscated more than 7,000 canisters in the first two weeks of our County ban. I encourage other cities to follow and protect consumers.”

NOX suffocates your brain, causing serious neurological harm, psychosis, and even death. Student use is currently on the rise. To report any nitrous oxide canisters sold in stores across the county – whether at a grocery store, smoke shop, a liquor store, a sex shop, or a costume closet – call our office (714) 834-3550 or visit bit.ly/noxoc and report it.

For more information or to inquire about Vice Chair Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364. 

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2. 

Vice Chair Foley’s 2025 Board appointments include:

Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust,

Orange County Audit Oversight Committee,

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA),

Vice Chair – OCTA Legislative and Communications Committee, Regional Transportation Committee,

Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency,

Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA), TCA Joint Capital Improvements and Projects Committee,

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Community Engagement Panel,

Co-Chair – Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition,

Orange County Public Libraries Advisory Board, Coastal Greenbelt Authority,

Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees,

Ocean Institute, Orange County Community Corrections