Posted on 08/12/2025
LOS ANGELES - Councilmember Tim McOsker introduced a motion today calling for an Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) to temporarily halt the spread of smoke shops in Council District 15 and direct City departments to study best practices for stronger regulations citywide.
Under current city zoning laws, smoke shops — businesses that sell tobacco, nicotine, vape products, and related paraphernalia — can open “by right” with minimal oversight. This has led to a rapid increase in these establishments, often near schools, parks, daycare centers, and churches. Unlike cannabis businesses, which are subject to extensive regulation, smoke shops currently face limited permitting requirements, contributing to public health concerns and land-use conflicts.
Under current city zoning laws, smoke shops — businesses that sell tobacco, nicotine, vape products, and related paraphernalia — can open “by right” with minimal oversight. This has led to a rapid increase in these establishments, often near schools, parks, daycare centers, and churches. Unlike cannabis businesses, which are subject to extensive regulation, smoke shops currently face limited permitting requirements, contributing to public health concerns and land-use conflicts.
“I applaud the Wilmington residents, educators and activists who are leading the way in protecting our neighborhoods,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “For too long, smoke shops have been allowed to pop up, often right across from our schools, parks, and daycare centers, exposing our kids to products they should never be around. Today, inspired by real community leadership, the proposed moratorium will give us the time we need to put strong regulations in place and keep our families safe.”
Earlier today, McOsker joined members of the Wilmington community near Phineas Banning High School to highlight concerns about the growing number of smoke shops near homes, schools, and public spaces. Residents stressed the impacts on youth and the need for proactive action.
“Wilmington is a small town with a big heart that takes care of its own. Our community leaders have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for its residents and these smoke shops undermine that work by compromising our student's safety while traveling to and from school,” said Alicia Baltazar, with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE). “These children are already at a disadvantage by growing up surrounded by refineries. The last thing they need is easy access to tobacco and tobacco products.”
McOsker’s motion directs the Department of City Planning, with support from the City Attorney and other relevant departments, to prepare and process an ICO that would prohibit the establishment of new, or the expansion of, smoke shops anywhere in Council District 15 for 45 days, with possible extensions under state law.
The motion also calls for a report within 45 days on best practices from other cities, such as Redondo Beach, Long Beach, San Francisco, and New York City, covering zoning, licensing, buffer zones, youth-access controls, and permitting related to tobacco and smoke-shop businesses.
Earlier today, McOsker joined members of the Wilmington community near Phineas Banning High School to highlight concerns about the growing number of smoke shops near homes, schools, and public spaces. Residents stressed the impacts on youth and the need for proactive action.
“Wilmington is a small town with a big heart that takes care of its own. Our community leaders have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for its residents and these smoke shops undermine that work by compromising our student's safety while traveling to and from school,” said Alicia Baltazar, with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE). “These children are already at a disadvantage by growing up surrounded by refineries. The last thing they need is easy access to tobacco and tobacco products.”
McOsker’s motion directs the Department of City Planning, with support from the City Attorney and other relevant departments, to prepare and process an ICO that would prohibit the establishment of new, or the expansion of, smoke shops anywhere in Council District 15 for 45 days, with possible extensions under state law.
The motion also calls for a report within 45 days on best practices from other cities, such as Redondo Beach, Long Beach, San Francisco, and New York City, covering zoning, licensing, buffer zones, youth-access controls, and permitting related to tobacco and smoke-shop businesses.
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