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Press Releases - County Council

For Immediate Release: Friday, September 13, 2019

Zoning Text Amendment and Board of Health Regulation
would prohibit vape shops near certain schools and prohibit
e-cigarette manufacturers from distributing near schools

WHAT: Press conference

WHO:
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, chair, Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee
Councilmember Craig Rice, chair, Education and Culture (E&C) Committee
Dr. Travis Gayles, Health Officer and Chief, Public Health Services, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Council President Nancy Navarro
Councilmember Tom Hucker, chair, Transportation & Environment (T&E) Committee
Council Vice-President Sidney Katz, chair, Public Safety (PS) Committee
Dr. Maria Navarro, Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Ms. Ruschelle Reuben, Associate Superintendent, Student and Family Support and Engagement, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
Ms. Pat O’Neill, vice president, Montgomery County Board of Education
• • Other speakers are expected to attend.

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 16 at noon.

WHERE: Capital Crescent Trail Room, fourth floor of the Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

TOPIC: ZTA 19-06, which would prohibit vape shops that sell e-cigarettes and similar products from opening within half a mile of a middle or high school; and Bill 29-19, which would prohibit manufacturers of e-cigarettes from distributing them to retail stores within half a mile of a middle or high school through a Board of Health Regulation. These proposals will be introduced at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

The goal of this zoning change and legislation is to protect students’ health and limit their ability to purchase nicotine vaping products. It is illegal for retailers to sell such products to Montgomery County residents under the age of 21, with the exemption of active duty service members over the age of 18.

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Release ID: 19-292
Media Contact: Joy Nurmi 240-777-7961, Sharon Ledner 240-777-7951