HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2024 - Public Hearing - Letter from Kim Smith - Ordinance - Tobacco and Vape Sales near schoolsOctober 16, 2024
FORT LEWIS ELEMENTARY
3115 WEST MAIN STREET SALEM, VA 24153
(540)387-6594
Subject: Request to Adopt an Ordinance Banning the Retail Sale of Vape Products Within 1,000
Feet of Schools
Dear Members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to express my support of an ordinance that would prohibit the retail sale of vape
products within 1,000 feet of schools in Roanoke County.
Our middle and high schools have faced an ever-increasing challenge of vaping in the school
setting. Unfortunately, most students have easy access to these products within our community.
We need to take steps to stop this trend before it reaches our elementary schools as well.
When vape shops are located near schools, studies have shown that youth are even more likely to
brlr-1g t~ese aeviees witl1 the!'f1 if'lto our set-1e0Is. As a C:'listriet, we ar-e takil"i€J ste13s to eau~ate aur
students as to the many health issues that vaping ca n cau$e, but we need your help to help keep
these products away from school environments.
I appreciate your consideration of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of vape products near
our school campuses. This would send a clear and united message to our school communities that
vaping is a real and present danger to our children. Thank you for helping to create a safer
environment for the citizens and students in Roanoke County.
Kim Hires Smith
Principal
3115 W. Main Street
Salem, Virginia, 24153
khsmith@rcps.us
(540)387-6594