A brief discussion about smoke shops during a recent Belleview City Commission meeting highlighted differing views on a large number of the businesses appearing throughout the city.
During commissioner comments, Commissioner Bo Smith said he had seen complaints on Facebook regarding smoke shops in Belleview and questioned whether the city could place limits on where they locate or how close they can be to one another, similar to restrictions once used for internet cafes.
Mayor Christine Dobkowski asked Police Chief Terry Holland whether the businesses were creating any criminal issues. Holland responded that they were not and said the shops were operating in compliance with existing laws.
The conversation then shifted to the popularity of the businesses themselves.
Commissioner Michael Goldman questioned how so many smoke shops remain profitable, noting that business owners must see demand if they continue investing in new locations.
Holland noted that one of the biggest products sold by many smoke shops is vaping products, which he said remain popular with younger customers.
Goldman responded that he must “live in a bubble” because he rarely sees anyone vaping despite the products’ popularity.
Mayor Dobkowski said she does not believe the city should restrict legal businesses if they are not affecting the health, safety or welfare of the community.
Commissioner Ray Dwyer added that City Attorney Fred Landt had advised him there are no state statutes restricting the sale of kratom and other products commonly sold in smoke shops. Kratom is a plant-based product sold in some smoke shops. The substance has drawn scrutiny from health officials and critics who cite concerns about dependence, safety and limited regulation.
Goldman suggested that future development agreements could potentially include language addressing the issue, though no formal action was proposed or taken by the commission.
For now, the discussion ended without direction to staff, leaving the topic as a conversation rather than a policy debate.
