MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A proposed bill in the State House would take away a city’s power to regulate businesses that sell vape products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco and other alternative nicotine products, and give it back to the state.
Employees at Ocean Boulevard convenience stores like Jennifer Melton, feared for their jobs when the City of Myrtle Beach passed a series of ordinances regulating the sale of vape merchandise, and the businesses that sell the products.
“My job depends on selling these products,” Melton said.
Now, Melton says the proposed bill that would shift the power to regulate these shops from the city to the state is giving her hope.
However, the Myrtle Beach officials say the bill would take away their ability to zone for stores that sell vape merchandise.
“The bill before the General Assembly right now would seem to fly in the face of Home Rule which allows local government to make local decisions, and zoning is definitely one of those local decisions that needs to be made at this level,” Mark Kruea, Myrtle Beach spokesperson said.
Tuvia Wilkes, a business owner who has convenience stores that sell vape products says the bill would protect them from being managed by the city.
“The state is trying to save businesses, they’re trying to save jobs, and they’re trying to keep the corruption down,” Wilkes said. “If they do not pass this law in Columbia, every small town, every large town should be afraid. Their business can be moved at any time, at any whim of the next elected person.”
For Melton, it could mean having to find a new way to support her children.
“I don’t know (how I would support them). I’ve worked in retail my whole life, so I really don’t know,” Melton said.
Mayor and Police Chief of Myrtle Beach recently spoke against this bill to a state Senate panel in Columbia.
The bill is currently in committee.
City ordinances enacted prior to Jan. 1 regarding this topic would not be affected if this bill passed.
