Should village allow e-cigarette sales?

The Village of Grafton is considering a proposed ordinance change that would allow stores to sell vaping and electronic cigarette products in the South Commercial Business District. 

While the sale of vaping and e-cigarette products are not permitted under a current ordinance, several gas stations and liquor stores along Wisconsin Avenue are selling those products, officials said.

The Plan Commission held a public hearing Aug. 25 to amend the ordinance to allow for businesses to apply a conditional-use permit to sell the products but tabled action until it receives more public input.

A proposed amendment was presented to the commission by Heba Musleh, the former owner of the Citgo gas station on Wisconsin Avenue who currently owns the Senor Luna and Verlo Mattress properties.  

During the hearing, Musleh said she would like to open a shop with both smoke and vape products, including hookah and “glass” products.

Musleh said she would train her employees and require them to check customers’ IDs and the employees would not sell to underage customers. She also said all of her stores have security cameras.

Resident Andrew Gosse, who wants to open a vape store in Grafton, said vaping reduces the health risks from cigarettes and has been shown to help adults quit smoking. He said that there are several stores in the village selling vape products.

Community Development Director Jessica Wolff said the village is not aware of those stores, noting staff members only investigate complaints. 

“It’s similar to our current enforcement of CBD products,” she said. “They are not allowed, but they are being sold in the community. If there was a citizen complaint, I would look into it and enforce our ordinance.”

Wolff said state statutes do not allow the village to prohibit any legal business. “We need to accommodate them in some way,” she said.

There was no discussion on the effect vaping has on youths, but information was presented to the commission.

Commission member Alan Kletti said it would be difficult to enforce the ordinance in any form. 

Village President and Plan Commission Chairman Jim Brunnquell said those types of businesses do not fit into the village’s “Quality Life, Naturally” brand. He said additional public input is needed before the commission makes a decision.

Wolff said there will likely be another hearing at the commission meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 before it makes a recommendation to the Village Board.