A change has been made in a tobacco ordinance for the city of Wichita that will allow employees 18 and older to sell tobacco products in licensed retail stores.
The city approved an ordinance in June, 2020 that prohibits people under 21 from using or possessing tobacco. That created staffing problems for local stores with employees under 21.
City Council member Bryan Frye said it was an unintended consequence, and it put an unnecessary strain on local businesses over the past year who were dealing with workforce issues during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Council voted to approve the change. The ban will continue on tobacco use and possession for people under 21.
