Council pauses moratorium after health director says new 2-mile zoning rule already bars new smoke shops

Cleveland City Council members moved to hold Ordinance 5042025, a proposed emergency moratorium on new smoke-shop certificates of occupancy and tobacco retail licenses, after the city health director told the panel that newly adopted zoning restrictions — including a two-mile radius rule — already prevent approval of new smoke-shop occupancy permits.

Supporters of the moratorium said the ordinance was designed to close a potential enforcement gap until the city's tobacco retail sales licensing takes full effect 180 days after passage (the administration cited an October 27 effective date), giving public-health and building inspectors full licensing and enforcement tools.

Health director (unnamed) told the council: “I think the moratorium is is no longer necessary as a piece of legislation.” The director said the two-mile zoning…