Henrico officials approve ordinance to restrict spread of unregulated vape shops

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County is continuing to crack down on the growing number of vape and tobacco shops, after passing a stricter ordinance on Tuesday to regulate future vape shops in the county.

During a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, supervisors approved an ordinance amendment to restrict the spread of unregulated and possibly harmful substances sold at vape shops.

“I feel like we really are just getting started,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson. “We don’t want people selling illegal substances to our young people.”

The changes target businesses selling recreational products, including tobacco, kratom, cannabis, vapes and edibles or other smoking products and accessories. The new ordinance forces them to meet stricter zoning and permitting requirements.

RELATED: Hanover ordinance tightens regulations around future vape shops

The board approved that new stores will be restricted to industrial and business districts and must have a public hearing before opening. They would also be required to receive a provisional use permit.

Store operators “don’t care about the impacts on the individuals, the community, households, our schools,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III, of the Fairfield District. “The intentional effort to market these products to those who are disenfranchised, those who are young, those who are vulnerable…it is our job to protect them, and we would do it at all costs.”

The move comes following a recommendation from the county task force established back in August.

Officials found more than 70 shops operating under illegal activity, including selling to someone underage or selling other illegal drugs or products.

The task force is comprised of attorneys and county departments and has worked closely with the Department of Forensic Science at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to regulate vape shops, per the county.

In January 2026, the Office of the Attorney General will publish a directory of all vaping products permitted to be sold in Virginia.

Anyone found to be selling a product not in the directory will be subject to a fine of $1,000 per day for each prohibited product being offered.

The task force has launched a website to provide information about the vape shops to the public. The website is designed to receive information from the public on businesses that may need inspection to ensure compliance with county codes and other legal requirements.

Supervisors emphasized that they need to protect youth from misleading and illegal marketing tactics and sales, along with added measures in the coming months.