In a recent government meeting, the Stowe City Council discussed a proposed resolution to impose a temporary moratorium on the establishment of new vape and smoke shops for up to 12 months. The resolution aims to address concerns regarding the concentration of these establishments within the city, which has drawn parallels to a previous moratorium on car washes implemented due to similar issues.

Council members expressed a desire to study the implications of this concentration, with Councilman Mac highlighting the need for a thorough examination before allowing further applications for such businesses. The resolution is intended to provide the council with time to assess the situation and gather input from the planning commission before making a final decision.

While some council members supported the moratorium, others raised concerns about its effectiveness. Councilman Herman noted that incidents related to vape shops have been minimal compared to other establishments and questioned whether targeting vape shops was the best approach to prevent underage access to these products. He emphasized the importance of focusing on how minors obtain these substances rather than solely on the shops themselves.

The discussion also touched on the need for a clear definition of what constitutes a vape shop, with suggestions to establish a threshold based on sales percentages. Councilman Riley proposed that the definition should be included in the resolution to avoid potential legal challenges. The council agreed to consider a definition that aligns with state law, which defines a vape shop as an establishment deriving more than 80% of its revenue from vape sales, while also considering a lower threshold of 25% as suggested by other municipalities.

The council ultimately decided to move the resolution forward for further consideration, with the possibility of extending the moratorium if necessary. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss the appointment and compensation of a public employee.