Iowa City Seeking to Limit Tobacco, Vape Shops

Iowa City Council is working to change some of the rules regarding the amount of tobacco and vape stores in town.

In a work session on Tuesday, councilmembers discussed a 55 permit limit in the city (down from 62), a 500 ft. barrier from tobacco shops being near school or university property, and the ban of the sale of kratom, an herbal substance the gives stimulus effects, according to media reports.

This is in addition to the moratorium on new tobacco permits that’s in place until December.

Up in Smoke is among the tobacco and vape shops that sell kratom. While the owner is happy there won’t be as much competition in town, he said it is concerning that the city is looking to ban kratom, as the shop is already dealing with the aftermath of the new state law limiting THC in products.