FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tightening up vape and smoke shop restrictions has been happening across Middle Tennessee, and now the city of Franklin is looking to discuss more on Thursday.

Areas like Nashville, Goodlettsville and Hendersonville have agreed upon stronger regulations, but some vape store owners tell News 2 this is coming a little too late.

“I have not touched any form of tobacco in I'd say 14 years because of these products,” said Matthew Herpel, the operations manager at Magical Vapors.

Herpel has been working at Magical Vapors for a decade. They have multiple locations across Middle Tennessee.

“We see people with PTSD, veterans, former active military police, fire, EMTS, it's a very stressful job,” he said.

He has seen a boom of vape shops, which negatively impact his own business.

“Every single one of the six stores I operate has had somebody open up within 1,000 feet of me just in the last two years,” Herpel explained.

In addition, he is being hit with operating restrictions.

“We do sell products that are regulated currently by the Department of Agriculture, soon to be regulated by the ABC board,” he said. “Being not only licensed by the state to do business, being licensed to sell hemp products as well, there's additional taxes on that. And there's restrictions within those licenses to how close we are to schools, for example, or other other public places that are in sensitive areas.”

Not only that, but he has had to adjust with state level regulations.

“There's also the the sign laws and ordinances,” Herpel added. “Every city is different. Franklin does a great job with its sign department. They review everything. If you're out of spec, they will come by and notify you. I've experienced that firsthand and they were great to work with, and so a lot of the flashing lights and the strobing stuff that you see typically is a big complaint.”

Now, Franklin could follow Lebanon and Hendersonville, putting restrictions on new vape shops, possibly requiring them to be either 500 or 1,000 feet away from places like daycares, current vape shops and churches.

Even though Herpel’s business would be grandfathered in, he said the city should focus on a few other ways to regulate products and stores.

“I would be just as concerned with your local gas stations or your local liquor stores,” he said. “They are not 21 and up businesses, they sell nicotine and tobacco products. Some of them sell vape products, and liquor, and beer and stuff like that. I would be just as concerned about those products being sold in those settings as I would where we're located.”

The board of mayor and alderman first discussed this issue last month. On Thursday, they will be looking into options for future regulations.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/city-of-franklin-set-to-discuss-vape-restrictions-but-store-owners-say-it-might-be-too-late/