Multiple US Cities Advance Vape, Cannabis Business Restrictions

Several cities are considering or implementing regulations to limit the operation of vape and smoke shops due to health concerns and community impact. Bowling Green's Planning Commission approved zoning restrictions to limit vape shops primarily to existing businesses, though some members expressed reservations about government restricting business growth and free market principles. Beckley is considering an ordinance that would restrict smoke and vape shops from operating within 1,500 feet of schools, parks, churches, and daycares, with medical professionals warning that vaping causes significant lung damage, especially among teenagers. In Ceres, a new ordinance was approved to enforce state laws banning flavored tobacco products, enhance compliance checks, and possibly limit the number of smoke shops, with an emphasis on local enforcement and security requirements. These actions reflect a growing concern over vaping's health effects, particularly on youth, and a desire among officials to balance public health priorities with business freedoms. Meanwhile, unrelated zoning issues regarding cannabis businesses continue elsewhere, with Riverhead Town considering a moratorium to reassess local regulatory authority following a court ruling.