Rep. Chris Pielli, D-West Chester, is pictured during an America250 kickoff event in his district earlier this year.

A state lawmaker is drafting legislation that would stop vape shops from opening too close to schools.

Rep. Chris Pielli, D-West Chester, introduced a co-sponsorship memorandum recently based on a Montgomery County grand jury report from 2025 that he said found many THC products were mislabeled and sold to teenagers. Part of the problem, he argues, is that the shops are too close to schools in the first place. He proposes keeping vape shops at least 1,000 feet away from schools.

“Over the past few years, the number of vape shops has grown exponentially,” Pielli wrote in his co-sponsorship memorandum. “In many communities, it often feels there is a vape shop on every corner. These shops are not only selling vape products, but, as a result of the 2018 federal Farm Bill, also THC products. THC products operate in a gray area and there is no guarantee that those sold in these stores are safe.”

A federal hemp THC ban was included in the measure to end the 43-day federal government shutdown, approved by the Senate on Nov. 10, 2025, though the ban doesn’t take effect until November 2026. Pielli lauded the closure of the THC products sale loophole that had been created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill, but said further state action is needed.

State law already restricts vape shops by requiring retailers to obtain a license from the state Department of Revenue, banning sales to anyone under 21 and taxing products at 40% of the purchase price.

Act 57 of 2025 (enacted as House Bill 1425, signed by Governor Shapiro on December 22, 2025) establishes a state-maintained directory of approved nicotine vapor products and manufacturers. Act 57 requires every manufacturer of electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine and are sold for retail in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be certified by the Attorney General. Manufacturers of tobacco products must obtain a tobacco manufacturer license under section 1221-A of the Tax Reform Code and also maintain a tobacco wholesaler license to sell to licensed retailers.

Some municipalities – including Pittsburgh – are considering zoning restrictions that would create minimum distances vape shops would have to keep from schools. Pittsburgh’s most recent discussion was for a 1,500 foot limit.

“I will be introducing legislation to keep newly licensed vape shops at least 1,000 feet away from our K-12 schools,” Pielli wrote. “While tobacco products should not be sold to anyone under 21 in Pennsylvania, it is clear from the Montgomery County grand jury report that our teenagers are still purchasing products. My legislation will help reduce access to vape shops by ensuring that they cannot open near schools. While it may be argued that vape shops are an important part of our small business community, the health, safety and welfare of our children are paramount in comparison.”