A proposed San Antonio city ordinance that would stop new vape and tobacco shops from opening near schools or day care centers looks to be picking up steam.
City Council’s Community Health Committee on voted 5-0 on Monday to direct city staff to iron out rules that would bar such retailers from operating within 1,000 feet of a school or day care, the Express-News reports. The full council is likely to vote on the measure by early May.
District 9 Councilman John Courage, a mayoral candidate, introduced the proposal last fall, and it’s picked up broad support from others on council, according to the daily.
During Monday’s meeting, District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito said she favors new rules for vape retailers given the health risks surrounding the products, the Express-News reports.
“For the health of our community and the character of our neighborhoods, we do need to implement some restrictions,” Alderete Gavito said. “I’m supportive of small business owners, but we do need some balance here.”
Roughly one in three of San Antonio’s existing vape shops are within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare, according to the Express-News. The ordinance wouldn’t mandate the closure of those businesses, but it would block them from expanding at the site.
If a school or daycare opens near an already operating vape shop, the rule wouldn’t apply to that retailer, the daily also reports. Gas stations and convenience stores that sell e-cigarettes would be exempt from the ban.
Council last year passed a separate ordinance banning vaping from public places such as bars and restaurants. That rule became effective Jan. 1.
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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.
