ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Roanoke City has enacted new zoning restrictions on vape and tobacco stores, and Virginia’s Attorney General is backing a new state law giving his office more power to hold businesses accountable for illegal sales.
The moves come as local and state leaders say it is too easy for children to access vape and tobacco products.
New Roanoke zoning rules now in effect
Roanoke City Councilman Phazhon Nash has been a driving force behind the zoning change, which prohibits any new vape and tobacco store from opening within 2,000 feet of a school, place of worship, childcare center, public park or an existing vape and tobacco business.
The restrictions apply to stores where 10 percent of the floor area, display merchandise, sign area, inventory or sales are dedicated to vape or tobacco products. Existing businesses will be grandfathered in and allowed to remain at their current locations…