By: Maria-Paula

Henrico County is clamping down on vape and tobacco shops and similar businesses in response to public-safety concerns about the widespread availability of substances that are unregulated and potentially dangerous.

The county board has approved stricter regulations on vape shops, aiming to curb youth access, improve consumer safety, and address growing public health concerns linked to vaping. The new rules include tighter licensing requirements, restrictions on shop locations near schools and playgrounds, clearer product labelling, and stronger enforcement against sales to minors.

Health officials supporting the move point to increasing evidence that vaping is not risk-free. Citing a need to protect youth and adult consumers, the Board of Supervisors recently approved an ordinance amendment that establishes new regulations for stores that sell recreational substances, including tobacco, kratom, cannabis, vapes and edibles or other smoking products and accessories.

Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development in adolescents and young adults. Studies have also linked vaping aerosols to respiratory irritation, lung inflammation, and exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.

Flavored products, often marketed in ways that appeal to young people, have been shown to increase the likelihood of initiation and sustained use.

The recommended measures limit the stores to specific districts zoned for business and light industry and prohibits their location within 1,000 feet of a school. In addition the adopted regulations indicate the stores locations should be at least 2000 feet off religious institutions, public parks, day-care facilities or another vape shop. Such businesses can also only be established by approval of a provisional use permit by the Board of Supervisors.

“I feel like we really are just getting started. We don’t want people selling illegal substances to our young people,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson.

Public health advocates say the regulations are designed not to ban adult use outright, but to reduce preventable harm, especially among youth, and ensure that products sold meet basic safety standards. The Board emphasized that the policy will be reviewed periodically as new scientific evidence emerges and as communities assess the impact on health outcomes.


Henrico Board Of Supervisors meeting flyer.
Next Board of Supervisors regular meeting is
Tuesday, Jan. 13

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. The meeting can be viewed live online, and all agendas and recordings of meetings are archived.

If you wish to speak at this Board meeting during the public comment period, please fill out the meeting participation form.