City of Monona Adopts New Rules for Vape Shops

by Will DeFour, age 15

A new ban on vape and tobacco retailers in Monona recently took effect.

Monona’s new ordinance states that vape shops may not be within 750 feet of schools, other vape shops, or city parks. This ban comes after several tobacco retailers opened in the city over the last few years. About 3% of middle schoolers report they have used vapes, and nearly 8% of high schoolers have used e-cigarettes. These are dangerous drugs for anyone to consume, but especially young people.

Vapes and e-cigarettes typically contain a chemical called nicotine, an addictive drug that can lead to the use of regular cigarettes, affect learning, and harm brain development. For this reason, nicotine can only be sold to adults 21 or older. Yet, young people still find ways to get their hands on vapes.

Under the new ordinance in Monona, a vape shop is any business that devotes 10% or more of its floor space to stock or advertise e-cigarettes or tobacco products. Many community members consider the distance requirement from schools the most important. One proposed e-cigarette retailer would have opened near LaFollette High School before the ban was discussed.

“This business would in essence serve as tobacco billboard advertisements to these young persons passing by every day on their way to and from school.” Monona Police Chief Brian Chaney wrote.

Recent news reports say nearly 5% of the American population over 12 years old vaped nicotine over the past month, over 13 million people. There are already ordinances in other Wisconsin cities that limit vape stores.

Madison has a similar law, though it goes even further by increasing the distance standard to 1,000 feet. It also bans vape dealers near hospitals and libraries. Milwaukee also has an ordinance but at half the distance of Madison’s for all locations except schools.

City officials hope the new ban in Monona will help protect youth in the Madison area from the dangers of these addictive drugs.

[Sources: Wisconsin State Journal; The Capital Times]