Florida County Council Approves Measure Restricting E-Cigarette Shops Near Schools

According to a report by Fox 13 News, the Hillsborough County Council in Florida took a step on Wednesday by approving a measure that prohibits e-cigarette-related stores from opening near schools.

According to reports from Florida, county council members in Hillsborough County took a step closer on Wednesday to approving a measure that would no longer allow e-cigarette-related shops to operate near schools.

A proposed regulation is seeking to impose a 180-day ban on commercial activities related to e-cigarettes within a 500-foot radius of schools, where at least 20% of the goods are associated with these products. "It is difficult to come up with a valid reason for wanting to establish an e-cigarette shop near a school," stated Michael Owen, a council member from Hillsborough County who introduced the ordinance.

According to county government data, there are approximately 200 such commercial activities within 500 feet of schools in Hillsborough County. This proposal will not affect the already operating shops or apply to convenience stores, but it will impact newly opening establishments.

I was taken aback to see so many shops near the school, as I expected far fewer. Unfortunately, dealing with the already established ones has proved difficult for us, as they opened prior to the revision of land development codes," said Owen.

The education authorities in Hillsborough County reported earlier this year that over 60% of high school students in the county have tried or are currently using e-cigarettes.

Members of parliament recently considered a similar plan, but had to postpone it due to the need to wait for state regulations to be rescinded. Now that it has happened, they are reevaluating this concept.