Discussion on vape shops took center stage at Bowling Green’s bi-monthly city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 6.

City council members discussed restrictions on vape shops in a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 150 of Bowling Green’s codified ordinances, regarding zoning code. Although most members supported the amendment, which aims to minimize minors from purchasing vape products, there was disagreement over its desired effectiveness.

William Herald, council member who represents Bowling Green’s fourth ward, said he had two issues with the legislation.

“The idea of within a mile, prohibiting the vape shops within a mile. I think what happens there is that it ends up favoring those shops that are already there,” said Herald. “I’m uncomfortable with that and although I think there’s a lot of good in it. I don’t know if it will be that effective in what we were hoping to get accomplished.”

Jeff Dennis, council member at-large in Bowling Green, had also expressed his reservations on the amendment.

“I think the legislation in front of us has several issues for me personally. The first would be the one-mile radius, which will prohibit new businesses of that type from opening in the city,” said Dennis. “I cannot see limiting competition for those businesses as a solution to that problem. Limiting the hours to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. again is telling these businesses they cannot sell after 10 p.m. when young children are presumably not out and about attempting to purchase vapes. It does not make any sense to me at all.”

The provision limiting the hours was struck down from the amendment during the meeting, but the prohibition of vape/tobacco businesses opening within a one-mile radius of each other remained in the amendment. All members, excluding Herald and Dennis, had voted to adopt the amended ordinance.

The council had also unanimously passed an ordinance allowing the city to purchase a site on Newton Road for the location of a new main fire station, if the proposed tax levy of a 0.15% increase to the city’s income tax passes on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Bowling Green City Council meets every first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers at 305 N. Main Street.