Members of the Baltimore City Council on Monday introduced three bills aiming to limit the expansion of smoke shops across Baltimore and reduce youth exposure to smoke products.
“Our responsibility is to keep Baltimore’s young people safe,” Council President Zeke Cohen said in a statement. “Across our City, families have raised concerns about the growing number of smoke shops near schools and recreation centers, places that should be safe, healthy spaces for children. Let me be clear: this effort is not against businesses. It is about establishing fair and responsible standards to protect our youth, support our communities, and prioritize public safety.”
A bill sponsored by Councilmember Zac Blanchard would establish a formal definition for what a “smoke shop” is and restrict where smoke shops may do business.
As part of that legislation, smoke shops would be banned within 500 feet of schools, recreation centers, or parks. They would also not be allowed within 1,500 feet of another smoke shop.
“Smoke shops have become a growing concern for parents, community associations, and public safety officials across Baltimore,” Blanchard said in a statement. “This bill ensures that we’re protecting our youth, reducing over-concentration in neighborhoods, and holding businesses accountable to fair, responsible standards.”
In an effort to cut down on bright signage that can distract drivers and attract youth, Councilmember Jermaine Jones is sponsoring a bill that would set limits on the brightness of window displays and retail lighting that can be seen from public streets. Such lighting would be allowed to be no more than 5,000 cd/m² during the day and 500 cd/m² at night.
“This legislation is about safety and responsibility,” Jones said in a statement. “Excessive lighting can distract drivers and target young people. By setting clear, enforceable standards for retail lighting, we’re helping to make Baltimore’s business corridors safer and more family-friendly.”
Councilmember Tony Glover’s resolution calls for a Legislative Investigations Committee hearing regarding smoke shops. City and state agency representatives, public health professionals, and community organizations would convene for the hearing to examine smoke shops’ operations in Baltimore, their prevalence in certain neighborhoods, and how they can affect the health and safety of youth and other residents.
The hearing may result in the establishment of a Smoke Shop Task Force to help guide smoke shop oversight.
“The resolution is about listening first and legislating second,” Glover said in a statement. “Before we propose new regulations, we need a clear picture of how smoke shops are operating in our communities, from youth access to public safety concerns. The informational hearing will bring together experts, agencies, and residents so we can make smart, data-driven decisions about what comes next.”
