The Missouri City Council has taken a significant step towards regulating the proliferation of smoke and vape shops within the city by enacting a 90-day moratorium on new commercial developments related to these businesses. This decision, made during the council meeting on August 4, 2025, follows a public hearing where a substantial majority of residents expressed concerns about the presence of such establishments in their neighborhoods.

City Attorney Joyce outlined that the moratorium will pause the acceptance and approval of applications for smoke and vape shops, allowing the city to review its comprehensive plan and determine if existing regulations are sufficient. The ordinance is a response to a survey indicating that approximately 91.67% of participants deemed vape and smoke shops undesirable in Missouri City. Currently, the city has around 20 of these shops, significantly more than neighboring cities like Sugar Land, which has only 11.

Council members emphasized the importance of this moratorium, noting that it reflects the community's desire for a more vibrant business environment that caters to families rather than establishments associated with smoking and vaping. The council is also considering adjusting the threshold for what constitutes a smoke or vape shop, with discussions around a 25% sales limit for smoking-related products in convenience stores.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the potential sale of drug paraphernalia in gas stations and convenience stores, prompting discussions on how to address these issues within the broader regulatory framework. The council aims to draft a more comprehensive ordinance that could potentially prohibit smoke and vape shops from commercial districts altogether.

The moratorium is set to take effect immediately, with the council planning to revisit the issue in a special meeting on August 11 for a second reading of the ordinance. If approved, the moratorium will last for 90 days, during which city staff will work on a more permanent solution to address the community's concerns regarding smoke and vape shops. This proactive approach aims to ensure that Missouri City remains a desirable place for families and businesses alike.