Orange County considers 1,000-foot buffer between future smoke shops and schools

Orange County commissioners are considering a proposal that would prohibit new smoke shops from opening within 1,000 feet of a school- a measure aimed at protecting young people from exposure to smoking and vaping products.Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposal during the first of two public hearings. The proposed amendment would apply to future smoke shops and would not require existing businesses near schools to close, according to Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson.The proposal has drawn interest from both parents and smoke shop owners, who have differing views on whether restricting locations would make a meaningful difference.Susan Samara, a smoke shop owner, said she is not opposed to the proposed buffer zone but questioned whether it would prevent underage smoking and vaping. She also raised concerns about enforcement and what she described as unequal scrutiny of smoke shops compared with other businesses that sell smoking-related products.“I really don’t thin