Brunswick creates new temporary moratorium on applications for stores that sell tobacco and vape products

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick City Council passed an ordinance that creates a new temporary moratorium on stores that sell tobacco and vape products on Monday, after creating a similar moratorium in February. For the next six months, Brunswick will not accept or process zoning, occupancy or building permit approval applications for businesses that sell or distribute tobacco products, vapes, alternative nicotine products or electronic smoking devices in all zoning districts. February's moratorium was less specific, and it was for new vape and smoke shops. Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said since February, stores have been marketing themselves differently than what it actually is to get around the moratorium, and the city's initial efforts were insufficient. "I will say that the nature of these types of businesses are that they are designed to get around regulation, designed to try to get around laws," he said. "We are remedying any past mistakes at this point." Vaping is an ongoing problem, especially in schools, Hanek said. Therefore, the city needs to have discussions and work together to develop a plan to help combat the issue. "My recommendation to this council is we take all measures to put in regulation that is appropriate and necessary for the safety and well-being of our community, particularly children," he said. Council members discussed possible legislation that could be implemented in the future, but nothing has been decided yet. Ward 4 Councilman Keith Kuczma said Brunswick could implement a tobacco retail license. The TRL would give the city more of a right to limit the amount of permits allowed and give the Medina County Health Department the jurisdiction to ensure regulations are being followed. "Nobody in Medina (County) has this yet, so Brunswick could be the first one in Medina (County)," he said. "There are a number of cities across Ohio that have already approved this." Another suggestion was to amend the city's codified ordinance regarding tobacco products to restrict certain products from being sold in Brunswick. "This is what Gov. (Mike) DeWine suggested local communities do, which is to ban flavored tobacco products and vending machine vapes," Hanek said. "I think they're marketed to children." Councilman-at-Large Joe Delsanter said the city should focus on preventing people who are younger than 21 from having access to these products, rather than limit what adults can purchase. "We're here to stop the sale and give enforcement tools for underage buyers," he said. "I'm not here to dictate the private life (of people)." Ward 3 Councilman Brandon Lambert said whatever the city does, it better be done the right way this time around. "There are tobacco licensees and folks that have smoke shops that are absolutely legitimate, upstanding businesses, and this is a field that can also be the opposite," Hanek said. "I think we need a very, very close look on how we handle this." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.