Starkville’s board of aldermen will host a Nov. 7 public hearing on a proposed exemption to its recently-amended smoking ordinance that would allow smoking in standalone vape and smoking stores.
Earlier this month, aldermen unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s longstanding ban on smoking in public places that included electronic cigarettes and similar products.
The initial amendment, which Ward 6 Alderman Roy A. Perkins introduced in early September, prohibits “vaping” in the same areas where smoking is banned — including at most restaurants and businesses. Vaping is inhaling vapor produced by heating a liquid “juice,” in e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers. The juices can contain nicotine in varying amounts.
Aldermen unanimously approved Perkins’ amendment on Oct. 3.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, who expressed a desire to allow an exemption at the board’s Oct. 3 meeting, called for a public hearing on an another amendment to the ordinance that would exempt standalone stores whose primary business is selling vape- or tobacco-related products from the smoking ban. The exemption would only apply to standalone stores to prevent smoke from stores in shopping centers from filtering into neighboring businesses.
“Since our last meeting, I’ve had several people call and there are actually a lot of people around the state who are watching this live,” he said. “This is something that could really send a wave out to show that we are pro-business and we’re open for business.”
The board approved the public hearing on a 4-3 vote, with Carver gaining support from Ward 3 Alderman David Little, Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker and Ward 5 Alderman Patrick Miller. Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk, Perkins, and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn opposed the measure.
Sistrunk said she’d prefer to wait before taking up another amendment to the smoking ordinance. She also referenced Carver saying he hoped to keep the agenda for the Nov. 7 board meeting light due to a number of special elections being held that day.
“I’ve not had enough time to fully research the issue and the timing of the request is just a little early, in my opinion,” she said. “As Alderman Carver pointed out, Nov. 7 is an important election day. It’s a particularly important election day in an off-cycle year. It could have waited a little longer.
“I really would like and intend to spend some time seeing what other communities have done and what the impact is in other communities,” she added. “It’s not the defining issue for our board, but it is important.”
Background
While Perkins’ amendment to ban vaping passed easily earlier this month, it met opposition from the staff of 1810 Vapors, a vape shop located on Stark Road. Josef Enfinger, the store’s owner, contended that the ban would prohibit vaping in his store, which would impede his staff’s ability to troubleshoot for customers who are having issues with their personal vaporizers and ultimately hurt his business.
On Tuesday, Enfinger said he was thankful aldermen were considering Carver’s exemption. However, he said he’d like to see an exemption apply to all vape stores, not just ones in standalone buildings. Enfinger said he’s had some contact with aldermen, and is planning to have more in the weeks leading to the public hearing.
“They’re pushing for us to be in standalone businesses only, which severely limits where I might move my shop in the future or any shops who want to move into the area,” he said. “We want to be able to pretty much vape in any vape shop we choose, whether its multi-unit or not, and that’s what we’re gonna try to go for. We’re gonna see if we can work that in a little more.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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