Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka (District 2, which includes Pikesville) is backing a new bill which would ban smoke shops within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, health facilities and other smoke shops.  The bill would also ban some of the bright lights in smoke shop windows, and would be similar to rules already in place in Baltimore City.  

It’s not clear what would happen to smoke shops in violation of the new rule that are already open.  The wording of the new bill might also result in convenience stores and gas stations being labeled as smoke shops.