Wake County, North Carolina is taking action to protect youth from tobacco and nicotine exposure. On February 20, 2023, the Wake County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to prohibit new smoke and vape shops from opening within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, greenways, homes, and similar retailers in unincorporated parts of the county. This decision aims to curb underage tobacco use by limiting availability and exposure.
Key Points
- New regulation bans smoke/vape shops within 1,000 feet of sensitive areas
- Only affects unincorporated Wake County, not municipalities
- Does not apply to existing shops or retailers like gas stations
- Part of a broader county initiative to reduce youth tobacco use
What Does the Ban Do?
The new regulation amends Wake County’s Unified Development Ordinance, which governs land use and development in unincorporated areas outside municipal jurisdiction. It prevents new retailers that primarily sell tobacco or nicotine products from opening within 1,000 feet of:
- Schools
- Parks
- Greenways
- Homes
- Other similar tobacco retailers
This 1,000 foot buffer zone is intended to limit exposure and availability of tobacco products to youth.
Where Does the Ban Apply?
The ban only affects unincorporated Wake County regions where the county government has planning authority. It does not apply within the boundaries of cities and towns.
Some Wake County municipalities like Apex, Fuquay-Varina, and Zebulon already have regulations on tobacco retailers. However, it is up to each individual city or town to enact similar bans.
What Businesses Are Impacted?
The regulation targets new businesses where tobacco and nicotine sales are the primary purpose. Retailers like grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations that sell tobacco products but are not principally tobacco shops are exempt.
According to data, there were no standalone smoke or vape shops in unincorporated Wake County prior to the ban. So the immediate impact is limited but it prevents these retailers from opening in sensitive areas going forward.
A County-Wide Tobacco Prevention Initiative
The smoke and vape shop zoning regulation represents one component of a broader tobacco prevention initiative by Wake County officials. Other efforts include:
- Tobacco-free spaces policy – Banned tobacco use in all indoor public spaces like malls and theaters in unincorporated Wake.
- School system involvement – Worked with school officials who advocated for zoning changes around retailers.
- New health educator position – Created a full-time tobacco prevention coordinator.
- Public education – Engaging the community on tobacco health risks.
Addressing the Youth Vaping Epidemic
A key driver behind Wake County’s actions is the epidemic of youth vaping and e-cigarette usage. Key statistics include:
- Youth vaping in North Carolina jumped over 1000% from 2011 to 2019.
- In 2022, 2.5 million US youth reported regular e-cigarette use.
- 20.9% of North Carolina high school students reported vaping in 2019, up from just 1.7% in 2011.
Limiting retail availability near schools directly tackles this crisis by reducing access and exposure to vaping products.
The Path Forward for Wake County
While the zoning ban affects a limited area, it signifies positive momentum by Wake County officials towards tobacco prevention. Possible next steps may include:
- Expanding tobacco-free spaces policies to more public areas
- Incentivizing smoke and vape shops to relocate away from sensitive areas
- Running public awareness campaigns on tobacco health risks
- Advocating for statewide regulations on retailer locations
Reducing youth tobacco usage remains a priority for improving public health. Wake County’s actions set an example for other North Carolina communities to follow.
To find resources for quitting tobacco use, as well as information around Wake County’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Initiative, visit wake.gov/tobaccofree.
Source:
https://www.wake.gov/news/wake-commissioners-ban-new-smoke-or-vape-shops-near-schools-county
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