BoS considers banning vape shops near schools

The Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Dec. 3 to explore options for prohibiting new vape and tobacco shops near schools.

The motion, put forth by Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock), was filed in response to legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2024. That law gives localities the authority to prohibit any new retail establishment that primarily sells tobacco products, nicotine vapor products, alternative nicotine products, or hemp products for smoking from locating within 1,000 feet of a public or private school or a childcare center.

The BoS directed staff to present options to the board’s Land Use Committee on regulating the retail sale of those products, an enforcement strategy, and a timeline for implementation.

Walkinshaw acknowledged “There may be complications in terms of enforcement that I haven’t considered but I’m hopeful that we will be able to move forward.”   

The state law only refers to new tobacco and vape stores. Businesses in operation before July 1, 2024, would be able to continue in their current location.

“Youth access to tobacco products presents a serious threat to public health,” Walkinshaw said.

According to the 2023 Fairfax County youth survey, 9.2 percent of eighth, 10th, and 12th graders reported vaping in their lifetime, and 4.5 percent reported smoking cigarettes. Those numbers are down from the previous year, but still higher than they should be, he said.