Lawrence Health Board Seeks To Ban Smoke, Vape Shops Near Schools

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Concerns over vaping impacting the health of young and old alike have seen many states and regions restrict access to vape and e-cigarette products.

The Lawrence Township Health Advisory Board met up recently to discuss the issue of vaping products made available in shops near schools.

According to Councilmember Catherin MacDuff, the Board is contemplating bringing an ordinance that would prohibit vape and smoke shops from operating around schools.

“They are concerned with all the public smoke shops that have been popping up,” MacDuff told Council during last week’s meeting.

“Residents seem to be indicating that they don’t want anymore smoke or vape shops especially around schools.”

The proposal will be sent to the township manager and the council for recommendation and input.

If this ordinance is proposed and passed, Lawrence Township will join a growing number of towns across the country that are taking such preventive measures.

As of March this year, all 50 states have prohibited the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Many states also have flavor bans on e-cigarette and vape products to help combat the attraction of flavored products to young people.

According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) over 2.5 million youth in the country smoke e-cigarettes. Many studies have shown that e-cigarettes and vape products hinder brain development, and put youth at an increased risk of cancer, lung disease and asthma.

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