Hempstead Town Passes Laws Restricting Vape Sales, Tobacco Stores

HEMPSTEAD TOWN, NY — On Tuesday, the Hempstead Town Board unanimously passed a pair of laws designed to make it harder for children to purchase vape products. One of the new laws restricts where vape and e-cigarette products can be sold, and the second changes where tobacco businesses are allowed to open.

The first of the new laws prohibits the sale of vaping or e-cigarette products within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or park. The second bill changes the town's zoning laws and restricts the opening of tobacco businesses to light manufacturing or industrial zones. The change prohibits news tobacco businesses from opening within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or park.

“We are heading in the right direction with the passing of these bills during this health crisis. These vaping and e-cigarette products pose a threat to the children and are indirectly marketed toward youth,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald Clavin. “Prohibiting the opening of establishments that target these sales and limiting the selling of these vapor products within areas that children gather is the first step into taking action for this issue.”

Businesses will have to comply with the law restricting the sale of vaping products no later than Oct. 1, the town said. The changes to the town's zoning code include “tobacco businesses” or “retail electronic cigarette stores” or a place that is used for the sale of “tobacco products,” “herbal cigarettes,” electronic cigarettes and/or vapor products either with or without accessories.

The Town of Hempstead has taking a strict stance on vaping. It has passed previous measures aimed at keeping vapes and e-cigarettes away from children, including regulating where signs for tobacco and vape products can be placed, as well as banning vaping in town parks. The town also requires businesses that sell tobacco and vape products to hang signs detailing the dangerous effects of the products.

“It is time to take action on an issue that is so prevalent amongst the younger generation. The passing of these bills is only the beginning into bettering the future for the children,” Clavin said. “I’m honored to be alongside the Town Board officials who support this movement as well as Elmont [Board of Education Trustee] Tiffany Capers for strongly advocating for the protection of the children in our communities.”