Council adopts ordinance to limit proliferation of smoke and vape shops

Yesterday (Tuesday, June 20) the Common Council during its regular meeting adopted file #230097 sponsored by Alderperson Jonathan Brostoff. The file is related to zoning regulations for tobacco or e-cigarette retailers, and stipulates that new vape and smoke shops cannot open within 500 feet of an existing, similarly classified retailer, and prevents them from opening within 1,000 feet of a school. These restrictions would apply to an establishment in which 10 percent or more of the gross public floor area or 10 percent of stock in trade consists of cigarettes, tobacco products, or e-cigarette products.

Alderperson Brostoff said the goal of this ordinance is to create a safer, healthier community. “We know that the impacts of tobacco products are harmful to the public health of our city, and that many of these products are marketed at our youth. I think in the long term this will make Milwaukee a better and safer place,” he said. “I want to thank the City staff and community advocates who invested a lot of time working on this issue, and my colleagues for their overwhelming support.”

The file also provides use classifications of a tobacco or e-cigarette retailer. Limited use will apply in all commercial districts, all downtown districts, and IM industrial districts. Prohibited use will apply in all residential districts, all other industrial districts, parks districts, and institutional districts.

Additional information on file #230097 can be found here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.