RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Richmond could be saying no to more vape and tobacco shops that would be in proximity to certain establishments.
If the new zoning requirement is passed, new shops wouldn’t be able to start a business in the vast majority of the city.
“One of the things that a number of council members have requested, as well as members of the public, is that they are tired of seeing the proliferation of vape shops,” Richmond Director of Planning and Development Kevin Vonck said.
It’s no secret that the City of Richmond has a lot of vape and tobacco shops.
Now, city leaders are trying to devise a plan to prevent more from opening up near certain areas.
“There’s been a lot of research that’s been conducted that shows negative impacts on health outcomes, especially where these institutions are located near schools, places where youth are present,” Vonck said.
Vonck said if passed, this wouldn’t be a complete outlaw.
Instead, they think shops should be located at least one thousand feet from any child day center, school, park, public library, place of worship, or emergency and permanent support housing.
“Part of this discussion also comes in collaboration with our police department,” Vonck said. “Some of these establishments we’ve also had other issues with in terms of extracurricular activities where there have been illicit illegal activities happening, and so I think it’s important also in terms of like the regulations that it’s also a public safety matter.”
Some who live in the area say stopping shops from coming isn’t going to prevent access for those who want it.
“When I was small, they were taking up vaping, cigarettes, so I mean they’re going to do it if that’s what they really want,” Richmond resident Bennett Walton Jr. said.
JM Pedini, Executive Director of Virginia NORML, said that zoning is one way to prevent access.
“It sounds like Richmond is taking a play from the cannabis book. It is entirely typical for there to be zoning restrictions on where legally licensed cannabis dispensaries can be located,” Pedini said.
Additionally, there are other options to consider.
“But ensuring age verification upon entry to the store and at checkout are really critical to ensuring people who are underage are not buying these products,” Pedini said.
Vonck said that next, they will draft an ordinance and hold a public hearing, with the council expected to take it up sometime this summer.
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