Bowling Green council adopts vape‑store limits after debate; one proposed mile‑radius cap fails

Bowling Green City Council adopted Ordinance 9‑308 on a final roll call after extended discussion about whether new tobacco and vape shops should be tightly restricted within the city.

The ordinance, as adopted, places new limits on where vape and tobacco retail establishments may locate in the city. Council members considered two amendments during the debate: one to remove a one‑mile spacing restriction between like businesses and a second to strike a provision that would have limited operating hours. The motion to remove the one‑mile spacing provision failed on a 2‑4 vote; a later motion to strike the hours restriction passed and the ordinance was adopted as amended.

Why it matters: proponents said the measure seeks to limit the proliferation of specialty vape shops and reduce underage access to vaping products; opponents said some provisions risk favoring existing businesses and could create vacant storefronts. The Planning Commission reviewed the item and sent it to council with reservations, according to council comments during the meeting.

Council debate and outcome - An amendment to delete Section 150.69(a) (which would have prohibited tobacco or vape stores from locating within one mile of another such store) was moved and seconded but failed on a 2‑4 vote (2 yes, 4 no). The ordinance sponsors and some council members argued the one‑mile restriction would effectively limit new businesses but might unfairly protect existing shops.

- Council then moved to strike Section 150.69(d), the provision that set in‑person hours for these businesses. That amendment passed on the council floor, and the ordinance was put to a final vote as amended.

- The final adoption vote on Ordinance 9‑308 (as amended) was recorded by roll call; the motion passed on the recorded vote and the ordinance was adopted. The council also adopted an emergency clause for the ordinance earlier in the meeting.

Planning commission input and council concerns Council members relayed the Planning Commission’s deliberations, saying commissioners conducted research on policies in other Ohio communities and raised concerns about “picking winners and losers” and whether the measure would be effective at stopping underage sales. Some council members said the city’s authority to regulate commercial uses supports limits on where new shops may open; others said a proximity rule and a carve‑out for existing businesses would reward shops that already operate in the city rather than solve underage sales.

Next steps Ordinance 9‑308 takes effect according to its emergency provisions and as recorded by the council; the city administration and planning department will implement the changes to the codified ordinance.