The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has approved a new zoning rule that significantly restricts where new businesses selling vape, tobacco, and other smoking products can operate. The measure, which went into effect on Thursday, is designed to control the proliferation of these stores and limit youth exposure.
Under the new ordinance, any new store dedicating 25% or more of its inventory or 15% or more of its display area to vape and tobacco products cannot be located within 2,000 feet of any public or private K-12 school. This same 2,000-foot separation requirement also applies between similar stores, effectively preventing clusters of vape shops. Additionally, these businesses will have their operating hours restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Andy Gillies, the county’s Director of Planning, stated the rules were a response to concerns from supervisors and residents about the growing number of these stores and national studies linking their proximity to schools with increased adolescent smoking and vaping. As of September 2022, Chesterfield County had at least 235 stores selling tobacco and nicotine vaping products.
The new regulations will only apply to new businesses; existing vape and tobacco shops are grandfathered in and will not be impacted by the location restrictions. However, some local shop owners voiced concerns during the board meeting, with one calling the new guidelines, particularly the 8 p.m. closing time, “unfair and unjust” and potentially harmful to business.