Proposed Text Amendment Seeks To Regulate Smoke Shop Locations In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — The town of Greenwich is looking to properly define smoke shop establishments and regulate their locations through minimum distance restrictions.

According to draft language on file with the Planning & Zoning Commission, the definition of a smoke shop "shall mean any retail establishment in which twenty percent (20%) or more of the gross floor area or sales display area is used for the display, sale, or distribution of: tobacco products; nicotine products including but not limited to: e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), nicotine pouches, or vaporizers; smoking accessories; or any combination of the above."

With regards to locations of smoke shops, the draft language proposed that no smoke shop shall be located within 1,000 feet of any other smoke shop.

Additionally, no smoke shop shall be located within 3,000 feet of any public or private school, any religious institution, and any hospital.

The draft language notes that existing smoke shops "lawfully operating" at the time of adoption "shall be deemed a legally nonconforming use and may continue to operation" subject to Greenwich building zone regulations and CT General Statutes.

"However, relocation, or expansion, of a smoke shop shall require full compliance with the current regulations then in effect," the draft says.

The proposed amendment is expected to be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission in the coming weeks.