Des Moines is implementing stricter regulations on tobacco and vape stores, including spreading stores out from each other and from schools, parks and places of worship.

The Des Moines City Council on Monday, Oct. 20, unanimously approved fast-tracking zoning code changes for tobacco and alcohol sales, waiving the second and third readings.

The changes aim to avoid a concentration of tobacco stores throughout the city. They also treat tobacco stores similarly to how businesses selling liquor are treated in city code, Neighborhood Services Department Deputy Director Erik Lundy said in an email.

Liquor and tobacco stores in Des Moines already are required to receive conditional use permits to operate. But new restrictions on conditional use requirements for tobacco give the city "greater

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