Baltimore, MD — The Baltimore City Council will hold a press conference on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM at City Hall to announce a three-part Smoke Shop Legislative Package to address the rapid proliferation of smoke shops across Baltimore, reduce youth exposure, and improve community safety.
The legislative package includes measures sponsored by Councilmembers Zac Blanchard, Tony Glover, and Jermaine Jones, representing a unified City Council effort to strengthen oversight, public health standards, and neighborhood well-being.
Informational Hearing on Smoke Shops – Councilmember Tony Glover:
Councilmember Glover’s resolution calls for an informational hearing before the Legislative Investigations Committee to examine how smoke shops operate across Baltimore, their concentration in specific neighborhoods, and the potential effects on youth behavior, health outcomes, and local safety.
The hearing will bring together City and State agencies, public health professionals, and community organizations to share data and insights on enforcement gaps, marketing practices, and equitable regulation. It serves as the first and most foundational step toward developing meaningful, long-term policy solutions around smoke shop oversight. Findings from this hearing will help determine whether a formal Smoke Shop Task Force should later be established to coordinate ongoing monitoring and enforcement efforts.
Smoke Shop Use Standards Bill – Councilmember Zac Blanchard:
The Smoke Shop Use Standards legislation creates a clear definition of “smoke shop,” identifying it as any retail establishment primarily engaged in the sale or on-site consumption of tobacco products, vaping devices, or cannabis-related paraphernalia that devotes at least 10% of its floor area to such items. Key provisions include:
- Banning smoke shops within 500 feet of schools, recreation centers, or parks, and within 1,500 feet of another smoke shop;
- Conditional-use requirements ensuring community input and City review before approval;
- Standardized distance measurements, clarifying that all distances are to be measured from property line to property line, providing uniform enforcement across districts.
Display Luminance Bill – Councilmember Jermaine Jones:
The Display Luminance Bill establishes specific limits on the brightness—or luminance—of window displays and retail lighting visible from public streets. It restricts the use of high-intensity lights that are designed to attract minors or distract drivers. The bill sets a maximum luminance of 5,000 cd/m² during the day and 500 cd/m² at night, aiming to reduce the impact of excessively bright signage that can divert drivers' attention and attract minors.
Council President Zeke Cohen:
“Our responsibility is to keep Baltimore’s young people safe. Across our City, families have raised concerns about the growing number of smoke shops near schools and recreation centers, places that should be safe, healthy spaces for children. Let me be clear: this effort is not against businesses. It is about establishing fair and responsible standards to protect our youth, support our communities, and prioritize public safety.”
Councilmember Tony Glover:
“The resolution is about listening first and legislating second. Before we propose new regulations, we need a clear picture of how smoke shops are operating in our communities, from youth access to public safety concerns. The informational hearing will bring together experts, agencies, and residents so we can make smart, data-driven decisions about what comes next.
Councilmember Zac Blanchard:
“Smoke shops have become a growing concern for parents, community associations, and public safety officials across Baltimore. This bill ensures that we’re protecting our youth, reducing over-concentration in neighborhoods, and holding businesses accountable to fair, responsible standards.”
Councilmember Jermaine Jones:
“This legislation is about safety and responsibility. Excessive lighting can distract drivers and target young people. By setting clear, enforceable standards for retail lighting, we’re helping to make Baltimore’s business corridors safer and more family-friendly.”
Who: Baltimore City Councilmembers Zack Blanchard, Tony Glover, and Jermaine Jones, Council President Zeke Cohen, and Dr. Terrinieka Powell of the Bloomberg School for Public Health.
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:00 AM.
Where: Baltimore City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street, Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th Floor
Members of the press are invited to attend. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the press conference starts.