Denison, Texas has recently received an increasing number of applications for e-cigarette and tobacco stores. Mary Tate, director of the Denison Development Services Department, said there are no regulations regarding the status of vape stores in the city, and that the department is trying to take action on rules that need to be in place to ensure that public safety and health risks are reduced as vapes have been known to be hazardous to health and readily available.
More applications to open vape and tobacco shops
According to an Aug. 6 report by KXII, Denison, Texas, has recently received an increasing number of vape and tobacco store applications. Mary Tate, director of the Denison Development Services Department, said there are no regulations regarding the status of vape stores in the city, and that the department is trying to take action on the need for rules to ensure that public safety and health risks are reduced because vaping is known to be harmful to health and easily accessible.
It was noted that the department is seeking suggestions from city council members regarding the possible enactment of regulations. Two alternatives would be to ban vapes and tobacco stores altogether or to require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in certain zoning districts. Tate said both options would require extensive notification of neighboring businesses. She acknowledged.
- “We just want to make sure that we take the appropriate steps to minimize the risk by locating stores in areas where the city allows them and not near schools or churches.”
Conclusion
Councillors agreed to consider a second option, which would be to zone the stores. She also said the city will continue to work with existing businesses. Which is just the city’s desire to show “intent and strategy” in the location of these stores. All of this is still in the discussion stage.
