San Jose is considering a ban on new smoke shops.
The proposal would create a temporary moratorium, preventing new smoke shops from opening anywhere in the city.
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WATCH HERESupporters said there are already too many smoke shop businesses in the city, especially in East San Jose, with many located near schools.
They claim the Latino community in East San Jose is being disproportionately exposed to tobacco and vape products, which is a public health issue.
"This is a pause. A pause so we can finally draw a line in the sand and say, enough is enough," said Councilman Peter Ortiz.
Community organizers also point to the recently released Latino Health Assessment, which showed East San Jose has twice as many smoke shops as any other area in the county. The report also showed that cancer is the leading cause of death for Latinos in the South Bay.
According to Ortiz, East San Jose has six smoke shops per square mile.
The moratorium, introduced by Ortiz, would be in place until city leaders can create a plan to prevent the over-concentration of tobacco shops in specific neighborhoods.
"This moratorium is necessary, overdue, and deeply rooted in what our communities have been trying to say for years," said Darcie Green, executive director of Latinas Contra Cancer. "We’re overburdened, underserved, and targeted by harmful industries at the expense of our health."
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SIGN UP The proposed ban goes before the city's rules committee on Wednesday.
