Frank Lopez<\/a><\/p>\nA majority of smoke shop owners in Fresno will have to shut down their businesses after a lawsuit was dismissed in court.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, City Attorney Andrew Janz, Fresno City Council Vice President Miguel Arias and Councilmember Nelson Esparza announced the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by the California Smoke Shops Association.<\/p>\n
In June, the council approved a new ordinance requiring a conditional use permit that will effectively reduce the number of smoke shops to seven per district, or 49 in total.<\/p>\n
Smoke shops currently operating in Fresno are within in an 18-month window where they must reinvent themselves or shut down.<\/p>\n
After a December 2026 deadline, only smoke shops with an approved CUP \u2014 chosen through a lottery system \u2014 will be allowed to do business.<\/p>\n
Arias said smoke shops have been operating as rogue businesses without oversight, selling illegal tobacco, cannabis, paraphernalia and putting children at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City will move forward with inspections, fines, and full implementation and enforcement of the Smoke Shop Ordinance,\u201d Arias said.<\/p>\n
To date, the city\u2019s enforcement team has conducted more than 234 smoke shop inspections, including inspections and reinspections, according to a news release.<\/p>\n
Since enforcement began, 26 smoke shops have closed.<\/p>\n
Esparza said the court\u2019s dismissal of the lawsuit confirms the city is on the right side of the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ordinance is about creating safer, healthier, communities and keeping harmful products and irresponsible operators out of reach,\u201d Esparza said. \u201cWith this decision, we\u2019re moving forward with confidence to protect our neighborhoods and our youth.\u201d<\/p>\n
In September, a federal judge denied a motion from the California Smoke Shop Association for a preliminary injunction to block the ordinance.<\/p>\n
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