Principals urge Aiken City Council to consider zoning limits on vape shops near schools

Principals at two Aiken high schools brought evidence of widespread student vaping to the Aiken City Council on April 14 and asked the city to consider local strategies—including a zoning buffer like the one that currently applies to liquor stores—to limit youth access to tobacco-style vaping products.

Sam Fuller, principal of South Aiken High School, told council members that schools are confiscating large quantities of tobacco vapes. Fuller displayed a bin collected at South Aiken and other county high schools that contained vapes confiscated since Sept. 9, 2024; he said the exhibit excluded THC vapes, which law enforcement handles separately. "Vape usage has dramatically changed the dynamics of access and prevention," Fuller said, adding that flavored products and devices marketed to youth make prevention harder.

Fuller requested two actions from the council: adopt zoning rules to treat retail outlets whose primary business is vapes, CBDs and loose tobacco like liquor stores are treated under S.C. law (a 300‑foot distance restriction from schools, churches or playgrounds), and advocate at the state level for stronger legal and financial penalties for sales to underage customers. He said there is currently a vape shop within about 100 feet of one campus and five such shops within roughly a half‑mile walk.

Council members and staff noted limits on the city's authority. The principals acknowledged that statewide legislation and enforcement are central to controlling youth sales; Fuller said he had contacted DHEC and law‑enforcement partners to explore sting operations but described state-level measures as stalled. Councilmembers offered to gather information and consider local zoning approaches and a possible council resolution expressing community concern to state legislators.

Why it matters: principals said the products and retail practices are targeted toward young people and that easy local access undermines school prevention efforts. The requests, if enacted, would change local land‑use regulations and likely require coordination with county and state enforcement.

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Sam Fuller, Principal, South Aiken High School (education). First reference: "My name is Sam Fuller. I'm the principal at South Dakin High School" (transcript s=1563.1–1563.1). Fuller also identified the timeline of confiscations and requested zoning changes. - Angela Moore, Principal, Aiken High School (education). Present with Fuller and referenced in his remarks (s=1563.1–1563.1). - Council members (Mayor Teddy Milner; council questions from various members) and staff (DHEC and law-enforcement contacts referenced by Fuller) are included as part of the discussion.

Authorities cited in testimony

- South Carolina Code §61-6-120 — referenced by Fuller as the statute that currently prohibits liquor stores within 300 feet of schools, churches or playgrounds; Fuller asked the council to consider similar distance restrictions for vape shops.

Clarifying details from the record

- Evidence presented: a bin of tobacco vapes confiscated from Aiken County high schools collected since Sept. 9, 2024 (Fuller). The bin did not include THC vapes, which are processed by law enforcement. - Local proximity: Fuller said one vape shop is within about 100 feet of a campus and approximately five vape shops are within a half‑mile walk of that campus. - Enforcement status: Fuller said he had contacted DHEC, SLED and other state entities about sting buys; he described state-level legislation as stalled at the time of his remarks.

Meeting context and next steps

Fuller asked the council to consider zoning changes and advocacy at the state level. Council members asked staff to gather more information and said a council resolution or local zoning changes could be considered; no formal ordinance or vote on zoning was taken at the April 14 meeting. Fuller explicitly disclaimed that he was assigning blame to the council for the state of vaping legislation.

Community relevance

Geography: concerns centered on Aiken high schools and nearby commercial corridors. Impact groups: students and families; school staff; retailers. Funding/enforcement: any zoning change would be a local land‑use action; Fuller also requested advocacy for strengthened penalties at the state level.

Topic tags: ["vaping","youth-health","zoning","schools"]