WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBER LEADING THE CHARGE. IT’S BEEN DESCRIBED AS A VICTORY FOR KIDS AND THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. WHEN THESE NEW REGULATIONS NOW IN PLACE FOR VAPE SHOPS AND NOW LIMITS WHERE NEW VAPE SHOPS CAN BE BUILT ACROSS THE CITY AND HOW LONG THEY CAN STAY OPEN. AS WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN DOWNTOWN’S RECOVERY, IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE’RE INTENTIONAL ABOUT THESE USES. AND SO THESE REASONABLE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE WHILE CREATING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR BUSINESSES. THE BILL CREATES A ZONING CATEGORY AND FOCUSES ON ANY NEW BUSINESSES SELLING TOBACCO, INHALANTS AND CANNABINOIDS. ANY NEW VAPE SHOP CANNOT BE WITHIN 1000FT OF ANY ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. IT ALSO LIMITS WHAT ZONES THEY CAN BE IN MOVING FORWARD. FOR EXAMPLE, A NEW VAPE SHOP CAN NO LONGER BE BUILT IN DOWNTOWN. UNDER THIS BILL. SELF-SERVICE SALES WILL ALSO NOT BE ALLOWED, AND THE STORE CAN’T BE OPEN BETWEEN 11 P.M. TO 9 A.M. THIS BILL DOES NOT AFFECT CURRENT VAPE SHOPS THAT HAVE CURRENTLY BEEN BUILT NEAR THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF WESTERN PA 2026. YOUTH OF THE YEAR BELIEVES THE STEPS TAKEN TODAY CAN ONLY HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR KIDS ACROSS THE CITY. BY REQUIRING NEW VAPE SHOPS TO BE AT LEAST 1000FT FROM SCHOOLS. PITTSBURGH IS TAKING A MEANINGFUL STEP TO REDUCING YOUNG PEOPLE’S EXPOSURE TO NICOTINE PRODUCTS AND CREATING A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. COUNCILMAN BOBBY WILSON SAYS HE BELIEVES THIS NEW BILL WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ACROSS THE CITY, AND WILL KEEP AN EYE ON ITS PROGRESS
‘Reasonable safeguards to protect young people’: Vape shop zoning bill passes in Pittsburgh
Updated: 12:31 PM EDT Jun 9, 2026
Pittsburgh City Council has passed new regulations for vape shops, limiting their proximity to schools, operating hours and zoning locations.”As we continue to invest in downtown’s recovery, it’s important that we’re intentional about these uses. And so, these reasonable safeguards to protect young people while creating clear expectations for businesses,” council member Bobby Wilson said Tuesday.The bill creates a zoning category for businesses selling tobacco, inhalants and cannabinoids.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelUnder the new regulations, new vape shops cannot be within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools. It also limits the zones where vape shops can operate, prohibiting new establishments in downtown Pittsburgh.Self-service sales are banned, and stores cannot operate between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.These restrictions do not affect existing vape shops, only future ones.Ona Mogotsi, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania 2026 Youth of the Year, believes the steps announced Tuesday will have a positive impact for kids across the city.”By requiring new vape shops to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, Pittsburgh is taking a meaningful step to reducing young people’s exposure to nicotine products and creating a healthier environment for future generations,” Mogotsi said.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh City Council has passed new regulations for vape shops, limiting their proximity to schools, operating hours and zoning locations.
“As we continue to invest in downtown’s recovery, it’s important that we’re intentional about these uses. And so, these reasonable safeguards to protect young people while creating clear expectations for businesses,” council member Bobby Wilson said Tuesday.
The bill creates a zoning category for businesses selling tobacco, inhalants and cannabinoids.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
Under the new regulations, new vape shops cannot be within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools. It also limits the zones where vape shops can operate, prohibiting new establishments in downtown Pittsburgh.
Self-service sales are banned, and stores cannot operate between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m.
These restrictions do not affect existing vape shops, only future ones.
Ona Mogotsi, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania 2026 Youth of the Year, believes the steps announced Tuesday will have a positive impact for kids across the city.
“By requiring new vape shops to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, Pittsburgh is taking a meaningful step to reducing young people’s exposure to nicotine products and creating a healthier environment for future generations,” Mogotsi said.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.