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Coral Springs approves notice of intent to limit vape and tobacco shops; police cite ongoing enforcement
Summary
Commission approved a notice of intent to consider land-development changes addressing vapor and tobacco retail establishments after commissioners cited public-safety and youth access concerns; police described quarterly compliance operations.
The Coral Springs City Commission on Aug. 6 voted 5-0 to adopt a notice of intent directing staff to prepare land-development code changes aimed at businesses that primarily sell tobacco, vaping and related products.
The resolution, tied to petition LDA25-O1, seeks a process to consider modifications to the land development code for retail establishments that dedicate over 20% of floor space to tobacco, nicotine products or CBD (excluding medical marijuana). Commissioner Simmons, who requested staff review at a June workshop, said the move is aimed at curbing clustering of vape and smoke shops and reducing youth access.
"While I am not against plaza owners and private companies being able to open up shop ... I do not like that some of these establishments are being used to skirt the law," Commissioner Simmons said on the dais. "I also want to make sure that our children and our students in our cities are also being able to have a safe and welcoming... community."
Vice Mayor Mateo Bowen supported the step, linking it to public-health concerns and school safety. The commission accepted the notice of intent and directed staff to draft regulatory language for future consideration.
Police leadership told the commission that the department already conducts regular compliance operations. "We do conduct, quarterly, yearly, operations where we do for, tobacco and alcohol abatement, where we make sure stores are in check and compliant with the laws, not doing underage sales," the police chief said during the meeting, adding that the department performs ongoing checks for underage sales.
The notice of intent does not itself change regulations; it starts a formal process for staff to prepare and present a proposed ordinance or land-development amendment for later votes. Commissioners approved the notice of intent unanimously and indicated they expect staff to return with proposed code language.
