Newport News City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to impose regulations for new vape shops.
The new regulations will ban drive-thru service, having tinted windows or selling to anyone under the age of 21. New shops’ hours of operations will be limited from 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and new vape stores will also be restricted from operating within 2,000 feet of a child day center or school.
Under the ordinance, vape shops are classified as having at least 20% of its inventory comprised of vape products, otherwise known as “e-cigarettes” that use flavored water vapor to deliver nicotine rather than tobacco smoke.
Vape shops have become increasingly popular in recent years, and nearly 50 vape shops currently operate in Newport News, with the majority clustered along Jefferson Avenue and Warwick Boulevard. The regulations will apply to new businesses and existing vape shops will be grandfathered into the regulations.
Council member Rob Coleman, who also chairs the city’s Public Safety Committee, said during the meeting the ordinance was an important step for creating standard practices for businesses to sell vapes in Newport News.
“There was really no regulation whatsoever when it came to vape shops in our community,” Coleman said. “This is not about closing businesses. This is about public safety. It’s about protecting our youth and making sure that everybody is following the rules.”
Vapes are the number one contraband in Newport News public schools, according to School Board member Rasheena Harris, which has created concern among school officials over addiction and health risks associated with vaping.
Mayor Phillip Jones during the meeting urged for revisions to the ordinance previously approved by the city’s Planning Commission, including lowering the threshold of vape shop classification from 50% to 20% inventory and limiting hours of operation.
Jones said after the meeting the move was modeled after other cities’ such as Richmond’s regulation strategy, and aims to close loopholes for businesses who may try and avoid complying with the regulations.
“What we’ve seen is, if the regulation percentage is too high, people are able to get around it,” Jones said. “We decided to move from 50% to that 20% of floor spacing and selling, as well as the hours. Very similar to a liquor store, it’s going to be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You don’t need to be doing business at 2 a.m.”
Licensing requirements for vape shops also vary across Virginia. Henrico County, James City County, Norfolk and Williamsburg require conditional use permits to operate them, while Hampton, Suffolk and Virginia Beach categorize them under general retail.
Jones added he believes in helping businesses thrive and appreciates the tax revenue vape shops contribute to the city, but said Newport News currently has too many of them and council will likely reevaluate potential further regulation in a couple of months.
“I’m a new father, so this is top of mind,” Jones said. “Let’s maximize public safety. Let’s encourage the free market, but let’s make sure we prioritize our kids.”
Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com