Hunter
10/03/24
Iowa City’s City Council is moving forward on its restrictions of tobacco sale locations.
Earlier this year, the Council enacted a moratorium on new tobacco retail permits so the city could research ways they could address their concerns with the number of tobacco shops in the community.
The Daily Iowan reports the new ordinance being put up for vote states that tobacco retailers cannot operate within 500 feet of another tobacco retailer, K-12 schools, and university property.
Existing tobacco shops not in compliance with the proposed rule would be allowed to continue operating unless the business’ tobacco permit is revoked or expired for over 60 days. Any business that halts the sale of tobacco products for a year or decides to no longer be a tobacco-oriented shop would lose their tobacco permits as well.
Councilors disagreed over the length of time a non-compliant business could stop its tobacco sales before they would lose their permit. The original draft set the period as 90 days, which Mayor Bruce Teague said was too short. He said if a business was closed for renovation and it went over the 90 days, it would lose its permit and probably go out of business. He proposed the one-year limit, the same time as required for retailers that sell liquor.
Councilor Josh Moe said a year is too long and doesn’t solve the problem of clustered tobacco businesses in the city.
Moe and Councilor Shawn Harmsen voted against the change, but the first reading passed 3-2, with Councilors Andrew Dunn and Laura Bergus absent from Tuesday’s meeting. Two additional votes will occur before the ordinance change becomes law.
The city council also approved a first reading city-wide ban on the sale and distribution of kratom, an unregulated substance which can produce opioid-like effects. Over 470 residents have signed a petition opposing the ban, citing its use to help those with opioid addictions cope with withdrawal symptoms. Others advocated for an age restriction.