The city is Riverside is looking to regulate tobacco shops that are operating too close to schools and homes as officials fear the businesses are creating an unwanted cloud of problems.
The new push targets unregulated stores with the goal of putting them into complicance, according to Riverside councilmember Sean Mill.
“Right now, it’s a wild wild west when it comes to smoke shops,” Mills said.
This week, the city councils land use committee discussed recommendations that would impact an estimated 225 known tobacco retailers — from gas stations to standalone shops.
The proposal to make sure the businesses have the proper permits to operate will also restrict retailers from operating within 1,000 feet from homes and schools.
“It’s about getting a handle on the smoke shops that we’ve seen illegal activity surrounding them,” Mills said. “It’s about getting a handle on the smoke shops the same like liquor and cannabis shops.”
One UC Riverside student said she sees a lot of tobacco shops near her campus.
“It’s good for them to relocate to a different city, and kids are not influenced, so kids don’t put bad things in their body,” Isabelle Hurtado said.
Smoke shop owners declined to speak with NBC Los Angeles.
One consumer, EJ Negel, defended the retailers, saying the businesses are part of the community and shouldn’t be forced to move away.
“There has to be a plan because if you are telling them to go somewhere but you don’t have a place for them to go, that can create trouble for the city and the business because all businesses pay taxes,” Negel said.
Groups like Blue Zones Project, which advocate for healthier communities, said the proposal was made last year when police made a big bust of illegal drugs and products from 13 tabaco shops.
The city is expected to get an update on this topic in June.