San Antonio City Council bans smoke shops near schools — with some exceptions

The new city ordinance prohibits new tobacco and vape shops from opening within 1,000 feet of schools and daycares. However, smoke shops already operating within the so-called “red zone” can keep their doors open.

Council members Marina Alderete Gavito (District 7), Manny Pelaez (District 8) and Marc Whyte (District 10) were all absent at the time of the vote, according to the daily.

Despite the ban, council can still issue exemptions for smoke shops wishing to open shop near schools, the Express-News reports. Further, the ordinance, which took effect Thursday, doesn’t affect convenience stores or gas stations that sell e-cigs.

Another caveat is that if a school or daycare opens within 1,000 feet of a preexisting smoke shop, the business can remain in operation.

Council’s crackdown on smoke shops is in response to a rise in school-aged and teenage children using e-cigs. About 6% of all U.S. middle school and high school students last year said they currently use the devices, according to a Centers for Disease Control survey.

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.