Richmond could limit vape shop locations
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The city of Richmond is considering banning vape and tobacco stores from opening near schools, daycares and residential neighborhoods, the Times-Dispatch reports.
Why it matters: If passed, all three major localities in metro Richmond would have restrictions on where these shops can open.
The big picture: Vape and tobacco stores have proliferated in recent years, as anyone who drives down any street in Richmond can attest.
- A 2023 investigation by The Atlantic found that a bunch of factors contributed to their rise, including a surge in vaping's popularity, a hooked clientele, inventory that has high markups and takes up limited shelf space, and a pandemic-era increase in retail vacancies.
- Plus, illegally selling cannabis or related products is also a huge factor in the popularity of some of these shops, especially in places like New York City, where the legal status of weed is unclear, per The Atlantic.
Zoom in: The city is hoping to curb its expansion locally by amending the zoning code to prohibit vape shops from opening within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares or homes.
- That area seems to encompass most of the city, according to a map included in a recent planning department presentation by city planning director Kevin Vonck.
- Vape and tobacco shops, in Richmond's case, would be defined as any store that dedicates 10% or more of its floor space or merchandise to these products.
- Chesterfield and Henrico counties each passed similar restrictions in recent years, but they set the floor space at 15%.
- If approved, the restrictions would only apply to new stores, as is the case in the counties. Existing stores would be allowed to continue.
By the numbers: It's unclear how many of these stores are operating in the city.
- Virginia is one of a handful of states that does not require stores to register for a license to sell tobacco or nicotine products.
Of note: The city's ordinance could also apply to where recreational marijuana stores could open, per the Times-Dispatch, should the state ever get around to setting up that marketplace.
What's next: City Council is expected to consider the proposal sometime this spring.