Boone Council Discusses Moratorium on New Vape Stores in Downtown District

The Boone City Council meeting on July 21, 2025, sparked significant discussion around the potential regulation of vape stores in the downtown area. Council members are considering a moratorium on new vape shops, reflecting growing concerns about their proliferation and associated health risks.

Mayor O'Kelly initiated the conversation, highlighting the current presence of three vape stores in Boone and expressing a desire to gather input on the issue. The council's dialogue revealed a consensus that the number of vape retailers may be excessive, prompting the need for regulatory action.

City attorney Rafe provided insights into the legal implications of such a moratorium, referencing a similar initiative in Iowa City that paused new tobacco permits to allow for zoning changes. He emphasized that any effective regulation would likely require a comprehensive approach, addressing not just vape shops but all tobacco retailers, to avoid unintended consequences.

Council members raised important considerations, including the need to define what constitutes a vape store versus a general tobacco retailer and the potential health implications of allowing these businesses to operate freely. They discussed the possibility of implementing distance regulations from schools and churches, similar to Iowa City's approach, to limit the concentration of such stores.

The council is leaning towards a temporary moratorium of around three to six months to assess the situation and explore zoning changes. This proactive step aims to ensure that Boone's commercial landscape promotes public health while balancing the interests of local businesses.

As the council prepares to take action, the outcome of this discussion could significantly shape the future of retail tobacco and vape sales in Boone, reflecting a growing trend among municipalities to regulate these products more strictly.