CHAPTER 191
An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-264 of the Code of Virginia, relating to sale, distribution, etc. of nitrous oxide prohibited; penalties.
[H 648]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 18.2-264 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 18.2-264 . Inhaling drugs or other noxious chemical substances or causing, etc. others to do so prohibited; sale, distribution, etc. of nitrous oxide prohibited; penalties.
A. For the purposes of this section:
"Noxious chemical substances" includes fingernail polish and model airplane glue and chemicals containing any ketones, aldehydes, organic acetates, ether, chlorinated hydrocarbons or vapors, fluorinated hydrocarbons or vapors, nitrous oxide, or hydrogenated fluorocarbons.
"Practitioner" means the same as that term is defined in § 54.1-3401 .
B. It is unlawful, except under the direction of a practitioner as defined in § 54.1-3401 , for any person deliberately to smell or inhale any drugs or any other noxious chemical substances with the intent to become intoxicated, inebriated, excited, or stupefied or to dull the brain or nervous system. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.