1 Aug 2023

Vape shop owner near school says he's made changes to not appeal to kids

From Checkpoint, 5:37 pm on 1 August 2023

The owner of a new vape store just metres from a west Auckland school says after meeting with the principal he's agreed to change the name of the shop and has put film over the windows so kids cant see in.

Members of the Parakai school community have protested outside the Vape Villa in Helensville this afternoon, concerned it will appeal to young kids.

From October a new law will prevent new stores setting up within 300 metres of schools or marae, the Helensville store is way closer than that.

Store owner Hemant Jadhav explains why he chose that location.