City Council Decides Against Tobacco Paraphernalia Ordinance

The smoke has cleared in an argument over whether to crack down on smoke shops in Davis that sell what some say is drug paraphernalia.

The Davis City Council decided earlier this month that the city should not pursue a possible ordinance restricting tobacco-related businesses. It was a 3-2 vote, with councilmembers Stephen Souza, Sue Greenwald and Lamar Heystek opposed to moving forward.

The discussion was apparently prompted by the opening of Illusions, a downtown gift shop that sells tobacco paraphernalia. Illusions is the new incarnation of D-Zone Novelties, which just ended a run of over four years at 140 B Street, and is operated by the same owners.

[continues 578 words]