Boure helps build case to ban nitrous oxide sales

Suquamish Tribal Council Member Azure Boure testified before the Washington State Legislature on Jan. 26 in support of a proposed ban on the sale of Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide inhalants.

“We have seen firsthand the rise and use of nitrous oxide in our community. It is a detrimental product that is harming the lives of our youth and our community,” Boure told the House Community Safety Committee. “This unregulated product is killing our people and leaving lasting impacts on our youth.”

Washington lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban the sale of nitrous oxide statewide, with exceptions for medical, culinary, manufacturing and automotive use.

Lawmakers say nitrous oxide is a potentially dangerous inhalant that is widely available in convenience stores, smoke shops and through online retailers. They say sellers often use flashy marketing that has contributed to a surge in use among young people.

“Last year, the Suquamish Tribe took bold action to protect our people from this product,” Boure said. “We not only banned it on our reservation, but we also went a step further to ensure that those found in possession were given an opportunity to access treatment and other services in hopes of preventing lifelong addiction.”

The number of annual deaths associated with nitrous oxide misuse in the United States has increased by nearly 600% in recent years, according to a 2025 study.

“Our data shows that as individuals use this product, they often transition to harder drugs and substances that further impact their lives,” Boure said.

“We are still reeling from the opioid epidemic, and collectively we need to do all we can to prevent another crisis from sweeping across Washington and affecting our most vulnerable individuals,” Boure said. “Ensuring there is no pipeline in Washington state for the inappropriate use of this devastating gas is step one. If we can prevent it from reaching the hands of our people, we can save lives.”

Suquamish Tribal Council Member Azure Boure testified before the Washington State Legislature on Jan. 26 in support of a proposed ban on the sale of Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide inhalants.

“We have seen firsthand the rise and use of nitrous oxide in our community. It is a detrimental product that is harming the lives of our youth and our community,” Boure told the House Community Safety Committee. “This unregulated product is killing our people and leaving lasting impacts on our youth.”

Washington lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban the sale of nitrous oxide statewide, with exceptions for medical, culinary, manufacturing and automotive use.

Lawmakers say nitrous oxide is a potentially dangerous inhalant that is widely available in convenience stores, smoke shops and through online retailers. They say sellers often use flashy marketing that has contributed to a surge in use among young people.

“Last year, the Suquamish Tribe took bold action to protect our people from this product,” Boure said. “We not only banned it on our reservation, but we also went a step further to ensure that those found in possession were given an opportunity to access treatment and other services in hopes of preventing lifelong addiction.”

The number of annual deaths associated with nitrous oxide misuse in the United States has increased by nearly 600% in recent years, according to a 2025 study.

“Our data shows that as individuals use this product, they often transition to harder drugs and substances that further impact their lives,” Boure said.

“We are still reeling from the opioid epidemic, and collectively we need to do all we can to prevent another crisis from sweeping across Washington and affecting our most vulnerable individuals,” Boure said. “Ensuring there is no pipeline in Washington state for the inappropriate use of this devastating gas is step one. If we can prevent it from reaching the hands of our people, we can save lives.”

Suquamish Tribal Council Member Azure Boure testified before the Washington State Legislature on Jan. 26 in support of a proposed ban on the sale of Galaxy Gas and other nitrous oxide inhalants.

“We have seen firsthand the rise and use of nitrous oxide in our community. It is a detrimental product that is harming the lives of our youth and our community,” Boure told the House Community Safety Committee. “This unregulated product is killing our people and leaving lasting impacts on our youth.”

Washington lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban the sale of nitrous oxide statewide, with exceptions for medical, culinary, manufacturing and automotive use.

Lawmakers say nitrous oxide is a potentially dangerous inhalant that is widely available in convenience stores, smoke shops and through online retailers. They say sellers often use flashy marketing that has contributed to a surge in use among young people.

“Last year, the Suquamish Tribe took bold action to protect our people from this product,” Boure said. “We not only banned it on our reservation, but we also went a step further to ensure that those found in possession were given an opportunity to access treatment and other services in hopes of preventing lifelong addiction.”

The number of annual deaths associated with nitrous oxide misuse in the United States has increased by nearly 600% in recent years, according to a 2025 study.

“Our data shows that as individuals use this product, they often transition to harder drugs and substances that further impact their lives,” Boure said.

“We are still reeling from the opioid epidemic, and collectively we need to do all we can to prevent another crisis from sweeping across Washington and affecting our most vulnerable individuals,” Boure said. “Ensuring there is no pipeline in Washington state for the inappropriate use of this devastating gas is step one. If we can prevent it from reaching the hands of our people, we can save lives.”