Efforts to Reduce Youth Access to E-Cigarettes in Florida
According to reports from WFLA TV station, leaders in Hillsborough County, Florida, are working to reduce access to e-cigarettes among teenagers, viewing it as an epidemic. Commissioners in Hillsborough County are considering a regulation to prevent any new e-cigarette stores from opening within 500 feet of schools.
Since the introduction of this regulation by Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen, several e-cigarette shops have been established near schools. Owen stated that he has observed many e-cigarette shops using cartoon characters as store decorations, which seems to be appealing to young people.
On Wednesday, county commissioners held two necessary public hearings in an attempt to enforce a 180-day temporary ban on e-cigarette stores opening within 500 feet of schools. If the regulation is passed, commissioners will need to amend the land development ordinance.
Earlier this year, the county reported that out of the 2000 businesses in the county holding permits to sell e-cigarettes, approximately 200 were located within a 500-foot radius of schools. County officials had initially passed an ordinance to address this situation, but it was later superseded by state regulations. However, these regulations were subsequently repealed several weeks ago.
This new regulation will not apply to existing e-cigarette stores, but it will only restrict new e-cigarette stores. Store owner Dannie Jones supports the proposal to keep e-cigarette shops away from schools, saying, "The law now really urges it, 21 and older is the legal age." His store is not located within 500 feet of a school. Although Jones supports the proposal, he believes that more needs to be done to prevent teenagers from vaping.
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