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Council introduces vape-shop ordinance setting age limit and hours; retailers selling limited vape inventory may be exempt
Summary
An ordinance introduced Aug. 26 would regulate retail vapor-product establishments in Shreveport by defining 'vapor products shops,' setting a minimum purchase age of 21 and setting hours of operation (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.); businesses selling less than 25% vape products would remain subject to existing zoning rules and not the shop-specific limits.
The Shreveport City Council introduced an ordinance on Aug. 26 that would create local rules governing vapor-product retailers, including a minimum purchase age of 21 and hours of operation for vape shops.
Attorney Edwards and council members described the ordinance as establishing a distinction between vapor-product shops and general retailers. Under the proposed rules, an establishment whose vapor-product sales exceed 25% of total sales would be regulated as a vapor-product shop and subject to shop-specific rules; retailers selling 25% or less would remain regulated under applicable zoning and other laws.
Attorney Edwards summarized key provisions during discussion: under the ordinance a vapor-product shop would be required to close between 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. — the council’s amendment sets hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — and the minimum age to purchase vapor products would be 21 with the new ordinance. Edwards said the 9 p.m. closing time was recommended by the Shreveport Police Department.
Council members asked whether the ordinance would affect gas stations and convenience stores that also sell vape products; staff said those retailers would not be regulated as vape shops unless vape sales exceed the 25% threshold. Council members also asked how often the city would review the percentage threshold; staff said the determination is based on sales-and-use tax reporting and would be assessed periodically.
The ordinance was introduced and contains amendments setting the age and hours; it will return for final reading. No vote was held on Aug. 26.
