SZA Just Did What the Government Won’t: Save Kids From Whippets

Grammy-winning R&B powerhouse SZA is once again putting her platform to use, not for a new album drop or tour announcement, but to call out America’s rampant neglect in protecting children from the growing abuse of nitrous oxide, better known on the streets as “whippets.” And this time, she’s not just tweeting. She’s intervening in real life.

In a stunning moment shared via her Instagram Story, the singer Solána Rowe described confronting a child in a drive-thru line who was using whippets. The moment took place at an In-N-Out Burger, where SZA offered the young person a picture or video only if they threw their whippet canisters away.

“Literally talked a CHILD into throwing away his whippet drugs in exchange for a picture/video at the In-N-Out drive-through,” she wrote. “Sad but if I can stop this shit for even a second imma try. Once again these drugs are clearly marketed to CHILDREN. Really need America to do better man.”

Whippets: The Silent Killer in a Canister

A whipped cream charger looks harmless, small, metallic, and innocuous to the untrained eye. But these chargers often contain nitrous oxide, a gas used in medical anesthesia and food production. When misused, however, it can cause euphoria, dissociation, loss of motor control, and, in some cases, permanent neurological damage. It’s also widely unregulated.

The trend has exploded in recent years among teens and young adults. Known by several aliases such as nangs, laughing gas, nos, and balloons, these little silver canisters have become a staple at house parties and parking lots, with almost zero awareness campaigns to curb the damage they cause.

Nitrous oxide isn’t classified as a controlled substance by the DEA. This loophole makes it one of the most easily accessible drugs in the United States. And its child-friendly branding with bright colors, cartoon stars, and bubbly fonts only adds to its dark appeal.

SZA Has Been Sounding the Alarm for Months

This is far from the first time SZA has raised her voice on the issue. In a scathing tweet posted on September 19, 2024, the singer accused manufacturers of directly targeting Black youth with psychedelic branding and vague corporate origins.

“Sorry to be old n annoying but.. Is no one gonna talk about how Galaxy Gas came out of no where and is being MASS marketed to black children? The government is doing NOTHING? .. since when are we selling whip its at the store???? Somebody protect the children,” she tweeted.

She went further, pointing out the disturbing aesthetics of the packaging:

“Something about the childlike designs and marketing is so spooky like .. stars and bright colors? You tryna entice the kids on purpose? Why when u google does it say it was founded in metro Atlanta in 2021 but no further info …sumn tells me the owner looks like Colonel Sanders.”

The tweet raised eyebrows and sparked conversations but did little to halt the momentum of the whippet industry.

A Legal Grey Area With Deadly Consequences

Despite the gas being legal for culinary and automotive use, inhaling nitrous oxide for recreation is not permitted and can lead to arrest. However, enforcement is inconsistent at best. The whippet epidemic remains one of the least regulated forms of substance abuse in the country, with online stores and smoke shops often selling to underage users with minimal pushback.

And the consequences? They’re as horrific as they are underreported.

Short-Term Risks:

• Loss of consciousness
• Falls and blunt-force injuries
• Frostbite on the face and lips from direct inhalation

Long-Term Risks:

• Brain and nerve damage
• Vitamin B12 depletion leads to numbness, anemia, and permanent nerve issues
• Liver and kidney damage
• Risk of death from asphyxiation or oxygen deprivation

One of the most chilling aspects of nitrous oxide abuse is how short the high is. Just 2 to 3 minutes. Users often chain-inhale canisters, increasing the risk of hypoxia, brain damage, or worse. Many inhale from balloons, or worse, gas masks, amplifying the risk of accidental overdose.

The Bigger Picture: Who Is Protecting the Kids?

SZA’s firsthand account at a drive-thru is more than just a viral anecdote. It’s a damning indictment of America’s failure to protect its youth from a drug epidemic hiding in plain sight.

With no FDA regulation on the sale of these canisters for recreational use, no DEA scheduling, and barely any public awareness, the burden is falling on celebrities, teachers, and social media influencers to do the job the government refuses to do.

And SZA, who could easily retreat into the sanctuary of fame and fortune, has chosen instead to be the voice of reason and alarm. This is the voice of a generation that is tired of seeing its children inhale poison for a 90-second high.

“If I can stop this sh*t for even a second, imma try.”

Well, she did. And the question now is: who’s next?

If you or someone you know is abusing nitrous oxide, help is available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential assistance 24/7.