MILFORD, Conn. — Milford Mayor Anthony Giannattasio has constructed a proposal in collaboration with the director of health to stop new smoke, vape and tobacco stores from opening in the city.
It comes after Giannattasio said it’s one of the top concerns residents have come to him with.
“People describe it as a saturation of smoke shops, and they feel that there’s enough access. And they don’t want to see it continue,” Giannattasio said.
Giannattasio said there are a dozen smoke shops and counting in the city, as well as other businesses like gas stations and convenience stores selling vape and smoke products.
“We’ve taken an inventory, and we feel there’s a sufficient amount of smoke shops. We’re not denying access, but moving forward, we would like to not have any additional ones,” Giannattasio said. “And look towards public health, and quality of life.”
Residents have noticed the influx too, especially after a new shop opened on Daniel Street, right in the heart of downtown Milford.
“I spend a lot of time at the coffee shop over there doing my work. I teach college and I just kind of shook my head, ‘Here we go again,’” said Al Pesticci of Milford. “This just makes it, like everything else, more available (and) more addicting.”
Giannattasio said the complaints from neighbors has continued to grow since then.
“That was something people were very concerned about; it’s not the best use of the property,” Giannattasio said. “And there’s been other people that have an interest in opening more downtown.”
To get ahead of the problem, Giannattasio is presenting a proposal to the planning and zoning board to ask for no more new smoke, vape and tobacco stores in the city. There will be one exception: mixed-use buildings not focused on selling only those products. In that case, the mayor said they can start the new business only if the smoke, vape or tobacco products account for less than 20% of their sales.
“If these products are being sold in another type of convenience store, or a gas station, you know, this still allows that opportunity,” Giannattasio said.
Stores already selling tobacco and related products would be grandfathered in.
The idea is welcomed by Nick Patel at Smoke N Conv. Junction, who feels there’s way too many stores like his nearby.
“Because if there’s like, so many smoke shops, people split and then we cannot get the big business,” Patel said.
Because of the saturation of stores like his, Patel has an entire room dedicated to imported cigars to differentiate his products from the others in the area.
“I sell the cigars because we have too much big choices, and you cannot find anywhere like the big cigar room, so people most likely come over here,” Patel said.
However, it’s not just about the sheer number of vape and smoke shops. Giannattasio wants to shift the focus to public health, especially for young children and adolescents.
“In regards to, these products do attract youth. And we’re looking to promote public health. So, I think that this will help promote that as well,” Giannattasio said.
Giannattasio said this proposal was a collaboration between him and Deepa Joseph, the director of health. They also consulted with the city’s prevention council.
The mayor hopes the board will take the proposal up for a vote after it’s presented to them at their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 21.
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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