Council Issues Moratorium on Smoke Shops

South San Francisco leaders passed a 45-day moratorium on allowing new tobacco shops on Wednesday night.

The City Council's action is an interim measure to allow city staff time to draft a new zoning ordinance regulating such facilities.

Council members expressed alarm during the regular meeting that two tobacco shops already exist in the city and there has been interest in opening others.

“We don’t have to promote this kind of activity in our city,” said Vice Mayor Richard Garbarino. “You drive down that street; it’s the only one that has bars on the windows.”

Police Captain Mike Brosnan confirmed that the tobacco paraphernalia the shops sell can also be used to smoke marijuana.

Council Member Mark Addiego additionally requested that staff look into regulating prominent product advertisements for cigarettes.

Mayor Kevin Mullin said that police have agreed to keep a close eye on Galaxxi Smoke Shop in the Brentwood neighborhood, which has been the target of resident complaints.