Baltimore mayor signs bill keeping smoke shops away from schools and parks
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed a bill into law on Tuesday that restricts where smoke shops can operate within city limits.
The new law prevents smoke shops from operating within 750 feet of a school, park, or recreation center. Smoke shops that are already in business within those distances will have two years to close.
The legislation was approved by Baltimore's city council during a meeting in May.
"What we do not want is folks who are selling poison to our children and to our communities," Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen said.
Concerns with Baltimore's smoke shops
Baltimore data shows there are at least 1,200 smoke shops in the city, with the highest concentration in low-income areas.
City leaders hope that by restricting these shops, it will reduce how many young people are exposed to smoking and vaping, and entice businesses, including restaurants and grocery stores, to return.
"Having overconcentrated smoke shops really hurts that, not only to the community members, but they're crowding out," Baltimore Councilmember Zac Blanchard said. "They've been crowding out the types of businesses that we want in our communities."
Blanchard said there are eight smoke shops near the Cross Street Market in Federal Hill. –
Annie Wright, who owns a business down the street, wants to see fewer of the smoke shops near her daycare.
"I think that it will attract negativity in the area, and as a business owner in this area, and also seeing kids, I think that it will be better for them to take it to another location," Wright said.
Recent raids at Baltimore smoke shops
CBS News Baltimore has reported on the concern with smoke shops in Baltimore and the city's response.
Earlier this month, city and state leaders seized more than 73 pounds of illegal cannabis and 18,000 tobacco products during a crackdown on Baltimore smoke shops.
During the enforcement, investigators recovered nine pounds of cannabis and 17,794 tobacco products from a business on Gwynn Oak Avenue. Another raid seized 64 pounds of illegal cannabis products.
Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen said at the time that more than $370,000 worth of untaxed cannabis had been recovered from smoke shops during the initiative, which will continue through the summer.
"This is what we're going to be doing all summer long, so be afraid, and don't do it," Cogen said.
Also this month, two people, including a 17-year-old, were arrested at an East Baltimore smoke shop that was allegedly selling illegal and unregulated products.
Police recovered a ghost gun, suspected cocaine, and hundreds of illegal THC products while executing a search warrant at VIP Smoke Cigars on N. Highland Avenue.
The 17-year-old was charged with firearms violations and unlawful distribution and sale of cannabis, and another person was arrested for unlawful sale and distribution of cannabis.
