Islip zoning code restricts vape shop locations away from youth

The Town of Islip says it is planning to restrict where vape stores can set up shop. 

One day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a Bronx teenager as the first New Yorker to die of a vaping-related illness, Islip officials say they're stepping up their crackdown on youth vaping. 

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter says officials changed the town code to prohibit vape shops from being located near schools, parks, playgrounds and places of worship.

Earlier this year, the zoning code was challenged in court by Black Water Vape Shop in Sayville. As News 12 reported, vape shop owner Mike Shannon sued the Islip Zoning Board Of Appeals because he said his shop was already open and operating and should be grandfathered in.

However, the court recently ruled in the town’s favor. “This section of the code was tested in court. Naturally, we were sued and fortunately it was upheld,” Carpenter says.

Shannon says he doesn't plan to appeal, which means he'll eventually have to move off Main Street to comply with the town code.

Federal officials say at least 18 people have died and 1,000 people have been sickened by vaping-related illnesses.

Rep. Peter King says there's legislation pending in Congress to ban flavored vaping nationwide.

RELATED: 
Officials: NY’s first vape-related death victim is 17-year-old Bronx boy 
Sayville vape shop owner suing town over zoning regulation