Orange County commissioners are considering a proposal that would prohibit new smoke shops from opening within 1,000 feet of a school- a measure aimed at protecting young people from exposure to smoking and vaping products.

Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposal during the first of two public hearings. The proposed amendment would apply to future smoke shops and would not require existing businesses near schools to close, according to Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson.

The proposal has drawn interest from both parents and smoke shop owners, who have differing views on whether restricting locations would make a meaningful difference.

Susan Samara, a smoke shop owner, said she is not opposed to the proposed buffer zone but questioned whether it would prevent underage smoking and vaping. She also raised concerns about enforcement and what she described as unequal scrutiny of smoke shops compared with other businesses that sell smoking-related products.

“I really don’t think that seeing a smoke shop sign is going to trigger people to start smoking,” Samara said.

Samara said convenience stores also sell pipes, accessories and other smoking-related items, raising questions about how the proposed restrictions would be applied.

“Loads of convenience stores that have mini smoke shops inside of them, they are selling pipes, they’re selling accessories, they’re selling paraphernalia,” she said.

Samara also argued that young people can be exposed to smoking and vaping outside of smoke shops, including in their own homes.

“Kids get exposed to these things outside of these businesses as well,” she said.

But Sah Sodii, a parent who supports the proposed buffer zone, said the issue extends beyond what children may encounter at home.

“If parents are smokers maybe they impact their kids, but these shops impact this whole community,” Sodii said.

Wilson said the proposal is intended to protect young people without forcing existing businesses to shut down.

“Being able to protect our young people is really the goal here. It’s not to put anybody out of business,” Wilson said.

The first public hearing is part of a two-hearing process. Commissioners are expected to hear additional public input before deciding whether to move forward with the proposed amendment.

The proposal’s potential impact would depend on the final language adopted by the county, including how the restrictions are defined and enforced