Vape Shop Restrictions Approved In Abington

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —Restrictions are now in place on vape stores operating in the township.

The restrictions were approved unanimously at the February meeting of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners modified an ordinance that establishes hours of operation and prohibits any business establishment that sells tobacco, tobacco products, and/or vaping products from being too close to another.

Parking spots must also be provided for customers, the amended ordinance states.

The ordinance states that all Tobacco, Smoke, or Vape Shops shall conform to the following standards:

• Each tobacco store, smoke shop or vape shop shall be located no closer than 1,000 feet from any other tobacco store, smoke shop or vape shop.
• There shall be one off-street parking space required for each 150 feet of gross floor area or fraction thereof.
• Hours of operation shall be limited to 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The ordinance applies to a retail sales or wholesale establishment which maintains 20 percent or more of its total merchandise as tobacco and/or tobacco products and/or vaping products shall be considered a tobacco store/smoke shop for the purposes of the ordinance chapter.

A retail or wholesale establishment that holds itself out as a “tobacco store,” a “smoke shop,” a “vape shop” or a similar establishment shall also be considered a tobacco store, smoke shop or vape shop for the purposes of the amendment to the ordinance.