Council urged to deny license for vaping store

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Monday night Benson’s City Council tabled for 30 days a request by Up-N-Smoke for the tobacco license it needs to open a vape shop on the north side of the city’s downtown.
Vaping uses a device that heats flavored chemicals, including nicotine, turning them into a vapor that is inhaled. They come in brightly colored boxes, have sweet candy flavors, and contain an addictive additive, Ashley Wubben, the State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) coordinator for Countryside Public Health, told the council.
Those flavors and colors are meant to be attractive to kids to get them started using the product while the addictive properties get them hooked, she told the council.
Benson’s council is struggling with the decision on whether or not to approve the license.