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Norwalk Board of Health objects to proposed vape‑shop licensing role for health department
Summary
Board members told Deanna D'Amour they oppose giving the health department permitting and enforcement authority over vape shops in a draft ordinance, citing mission conflict, staffing limits and that zoning or police should handle licensing and illegal sales.
Deanna D'Amour, director of health for Norwalk, briefed the Board of Health on a draft vape‑shop ordinance under consideration by the ordinance committee and the zoning commission that would grant the health department authority to permit, license and revoke licenses for vape and smoke shops. She said the draft is intended to address growth in vape‑shop establishments and reports that some shops have sold illegal high‑THC cannabis products.
Board members reacted strongly. “I think this is a huge mistake, getting the board of health involved,” said an unidentified board member, adding that the body could not in good conscience approve a shop selling vaping products if members oppose vaping. Another board member said licensing vape shops would be “kind of the opposite of a public‑health approach” and questioned the department’s capacity to take on enforcement duties.
Multiple members raised staffing and safety concerns. Deanna D'Amour said the health department is not equipped and lacks the staffing to take on inspections and enforcement as currently drafted; she noted sanitarians' job descriptions focus on environmental‑health inspections and that handling potentially illegal cannabis products could raise safety and training issues.
Board members also questioned the proper venue for licensing. One member observed that zoning currently handles licensure for cannabis retailers and that police have been leading investigations into illegal sales. Deanna said she believes there are about 22 vape/smoke shops in Norwalk and that the draft ordinance contains a proposed definition; she added the state Department of Consumer Protection has registration regulations that also apply to some sellers.
Deanna said the ordinance is still in development and offered to follow up with the ordinance committee and zoning staff and to ask whether a board member could attend the ordinance committee meeting to provide input. Several members suggested the board could play an educational role for the common council but reiterated that formal regulatory responsibility appears outside the department’s expertise.
The ordinance remained under discussion; no formal vote on the draft ordinance occurred at the Dec. 17 meeting.
