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DeKalb council moves to ban credit-card vape vending machines in bars
Summary
Council members agreed to direct staff to draft an ordinance to prohibit credit-card–operated vape vending machines in locally licensed bars, citing concerns about underage access and unregulated, ready-to-use products.
DeKalb — The City Council on June 9 directed staff to prepare an ordinance to prohibit credit-card–operated vape vending machines in establishments licensed to serve alcohol.
City staff described the machines for the council: customers swipe a credit card, remove a sealed packaged product and inhale; the machines do not accept coins, and products are often packaged to be used immediately. Staff said the delivery system creates an easy pathway for underage users to obtain inhalable products and that current city code does not explicitly allow or disallow the machines.
Council members expressed broad concern about the devices and asked staff to draft an ordinance to remove any doubt. The City Manager said staff would bring back proposed language for an ordinance. No formal vote was recorded; council consensus favored prohibition and to return with an ordinance for first reading.
Enforcement and next steps: Staff said they will consult with local proprietors and return with ordinance language, enforcement mechanisms and recommended penalties. Council members suggested education and possible compliance checks as part of enforcement planning.
