Milwaukee could soon temporarily ban all new businesses that sell vaping devices

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee leaders debated a proposal for an ordinance Tuesday that would prevent some electronic cigarette sales across the city in the future. 

In recent years, the U.S. has seen an increase in e-cigarette use, especially when it comes to teenagers.

"The explosion of vape shops, particularly when concentrated in a small geographic area, may have harmful impacts on the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents," said Milwaukee's District 3 Alderman Jonathan Brostoff.

Part of the Milwaukee Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee meeting Tuesday morning discussed a plan to prevent new vape shops from doing business in the city.

Milwaukee Ald. Brostoff is the sponsor of the proposal that would prevent new shops from selling e-cigarettes for six months.

During this trial period, officials would also prevent other businesses from opening if they plan on selling e-cigs.

"Part of the goal of this is going to be, ultimately, to look at both concentration and location--for example, proximity to schools, things of that nature," added Ald. Brostoff. 

Neighborhood Services Commissioner Erica Roberts said this request would be complicated for a number of reasons.

"There are many different types of uses that would sell this type of product, everything from grocery stores to gas stations, convenience stores..." Roberts expressed.

Milwaukee's 14th District Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is also a co-sponsor of the ordinance.

She said the layout may not be perfect, but this six-month grace period will serve as a pilot program to test out what electronic cigarette regulations they may or may not be able to enforce and what that would look like for shops that solely sell these items.

"I have a larger concern about how it has been essentially unregulated, so we're trying to dip our toe into this, like I said, with Uber, scooters...as this on-demand economy continues to build," said Ald. Dimitrijevic.  

The idea was approved by the committee, and they expect a detailed draft of the ordinance by their next meeting scheduled on Feb. 7. If passed, it would need final Common Council and mayoral approval.