During a West Columbia City Council meeting, members discussed potential changes and rules tobacco stores, smoke shops and hookah lounges might have to follow in the future.

Council held first reading of a recommendation to amend the city’s zoning ordinance regulating tobacco stores, smoke shops and hookah lounges.

According to a West Columbia document, a hookah lounge is an establishment that offers and sells hookah tobacco products and smoking accessories. A vape lounge offers and sells vapes or alternative nicotine products. A smoke shop offers, displays and sells tobacco products or tobacco paraphernalia, while a vape shop sells electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers and vaping products.

However, grocery stores, supermarkets and convenience stores that sell only conventional cigars, electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers and vaping products will not be classified as smoke or vape shops. These stores would not be affected by these changes.

The city’s planning commission recommended West Columbia further regulate these types of businesses during a Nov. 25 meeting.

The proposed amendment includes the following:

- Businesses such as tobacco stores, shops, vape shops, vape lounges and hookah lounges should be at least  1,000 feet away from residential areas, such as houses and apartments
- Properties must not be located within a 500-foot radius of another legal tobacco store, smoke shop, vape shop, vape lounge or hookah lounge
- Businesses should not be located near schools, libraries, churches, other religious establishments, parks, playgrounds or playing fields
- On-site consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited
- Establishments must comply with state and federal laws
- The use of LED accent lights is prohibited, and signs may not reference illicit substances

One council member raised the issue of underage access to these businesses, asking whether ID checks could be required. Councilman Jimmy Brooks of District 6 said during the recent council meeting that underage individuals may be entering these establishments without their IDs being checked.

An amendment was proposed to extend the radius requirement to 1,000 feet from another legal tobacco store, smoke shop, vape shop, vape lounge or hookah lounge.

Additionally, an amendment was requested to ensure that these businesses are located at least 1,000 feet away from youth centers, daycare centers or after-school facilities for children under 18.

City council members also discussed adding extra details, saying that any business found serving a minor three or more times would be classified as a nuisance business and subject to appropriate penalties.

These proposed amendments will be presented for a second reading at a future city council meeting.