Council adopts ordinance restricting unaccompanied minors from specialty tobacco and e-cigarette shops

Lebanon City Council adopted Bill 8 on introduction to add Article 1108 to the city public health code, regulating specialty tobacco and e-cigarette establishments and prohibiting access by unaccompanied minors. The ordinance passed 4-1 after council debate about the role of state law and parental accompaniment.

Mayor said the ordinance is focused on protecting minors and is within the city’s authority: “These businesses are directly or indirectly influencing our minor children to acquire and consume these products with adverse effects,” the mayor said, and asked council for consideration of the measure as an additional local layer to protect youth. The mayor noted that the state already has a statute addressing sales to minors but described the local measure as supplemental.

Councilmember Sean said he does not support prohibiting children from entering such establishments and announced he would vote no; he stated his belief that state law adequately punishes sellers who sell to minors. Another council member voiced support for the measure and its intent to keep minors from entering unaccompanied. The roll call showed Missus Hados, Mister Morales, Mister Potash and Chairman Martin voting yes and Mister McGuire voting no; the measure was adopted on introduction with a 4-1 vote.

The ordinance language discussed clarifies that the restriction applies to unaccompanied minors; children accompanied by a parent or guardian would be allowed entry under the version presented. The mayor and council referenced prior council review and said a fuller discussion had occurred at a prior meeting. No changes to state statute were made by the action; the city adopted local regulatory restrictions in its codified ordinances.