WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Board of Health on Monday moved closer to tightening regulations around the sale of nitrous oxide canisters.

 

The board held a public hearing on a draft ordinance that would limit sales only to "medical supply stores" and "kitchen supply stores" while prohibiting sales in other establishments with punishment through escalating fines and, ultimately, the report of a criminal offense.

 

The panel agreed to strengthen the draft submitted by Health Inspector Ruth Russell to strengthen the punishment for stores not authorized to sell the canisters at all.

 

Russell had proposed such businesses be fined $300 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense before a referral for criminal charges.

 

 "I'd say in the second case, someone who is not one of our approved locations, you get one warning and then [criminal prosecution]," James Parkinson said.

 

Later, he amended that suggestion.

 

"Maybe two chances," Parkinson said. "But the third [offense], there should be something other than just a fine."