Fargo Considers Flavored Nicotine Ban, Vape Shop Owner Raises Concerns

Proposed measure would effectively shut down local vape shop, owner says

Mar. 10, 2026 at 2:03am

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The Fargo City Commission is considering a proposal to ban flavored nicotine products, which would force the closure of a local vape shop, Sports Vape, according to the store's owner Zachary Johnson. Johnson says flavored nicotine makes up 98-99% of his store's inventory, and a citywide ban would put him out of business. He argues that the measure would not address the underlying issue of youth access to nicotine through unregulated online sales.

Why it matters

The proposed ban is part of a public health effort to curb youth vaping, which has become a growing concern in North Dakota with nearly one in five high schoolers currently vaping. However, the vape shop owner argues that the ban would unfairly impact adult consumers and businesses while failing to solve the problem of underage access to nicotine.

The details

Zachary Johnson, the owner of Sports Vape, says a ban on flavored nicotine products would force him to close his business, as those products make up the vast majority of his inventory. He argues that the measure would not address the issue of youth obtaining nicotine through unregulated online sales, and that stiffer penalties for retailers selling to minors and minors in possession would be a more effective approach.

  • The Fargo City Commission tabled the discussion on the proposed ban last week, pushing the decision until after the June election.
  • Nearly one in five North Dakota high schoolers currently vapes, according to a Fargo Cass Board of Health resolution.

The players

Zachary Johnson

The owner of Sports Vape, a local vape shop in Fargo.

John Strand

A Fargo City Commissioner who also chairs the Fargo Cass Board of Health, which has advocated for the flavored nicotine ban based on data showing that eight out of ten youth tobacco users started with a flavored product.

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What they’re saying

“It would put us out of business 100%. We would be looking at West Fargo, Horace, Harwood, Frontier even called us and said they have a spot. But the other thing — this isn't a small ban we're talking about and it doesn't solve the issues.”

— Zachary Johnson, Owner, Sports Vape

“We have public health advocates and medical advocates and public school advocates that are saying we need to do better at protecting our kids from the harms that are out there that they experience from using nicotine and vapes and tobacco products.”

— John Strand, Fargo City Commissioner, Chair of Fargo Cass Board of Health

What’s next

The Fargo City Commission plans to continue discussions on the proposed flavored nicotine ban after the June election, allowing more time for dialogue between public health officials and business owners like Zachary Johnson.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the tension between public health concerns over youth vaping and the impact on adult consumers and local businesses. Finding the right balance between protecting minors and preserving legal access for adults will be crucial as Fargo considers this proposed ban.