| What do you mean by a cigarette license or tobacco | | | | Shall I need to apply for any other permits? |
| license? | | | | Depending on your business operations, you may be |
| A cigarette license or a retail cigarette license is a legal | | | | required to obtain more than just a retail cigarette |
| document issued by the concerned state department | | | | license or tobacco license. If you are a new retailer |
| (as well as City and county local bodies) which signifies | | | | you may need to obtain a sales tax id number |
| that a business or a retailer is legally allowed to sell | | | | (Certificate of Authority). |
| cigarettes and tobacco (against tobacco license) in | | | | Exempt states for Cigarette and Tobacco License |
| accordance with the state law from a specified | | | | Cigar License: |
| location to the consumers who are allowed to buy | | | | Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, South |
| them. | | | | Carolina and Virginia |
| Who is required to obtain and maintain a Retail | | | | How can I apply for retail cigarette license? |
| Cigarette or Tobacco License? | | | | Do I need a separate license for each of my stores, or |
| In most states every retailer who sells or will sell | | | | is one license for all of my stores sufficient? |
| cigarettes or tobacco products is required to obtain a | | | | You must obtain a license for each retail location you |
| retail cigarette and tobacco license and bound to | | | | own or operate. For example, if you operate several |
| renew it annually. A tobacco license is required before | | | | different stores and each sells cigarettes or tobacco |
| you start selling of cigarettes and tobacco products. | | | | products, you must obtain a separate license for each |
| Who is a cigarette retailer? | | | | store location. However, you may submit a single |
| "A Cigarette Retailer" is a person, other than a | | | | application for multiple licenses. |
| wholesale dealer, who sells cigarettes or tobacco | | | | Do I have to renew my license? |
| products directly to the public from a specified retail | | | | Yes. The license must be renewed annually. However, |
| location, including cigarette vending machines. | | | | if you fail to renew your license timely and allow your |
| What are the requirements to obtain and maintain a | | | | license to expire, you will be required to pay a |
| Retail Cigarette or Tobacco License? | | | | reinstatement fee as a precondition for reinstatement. |
| Every retailer currently selling cigarettes or tobacco | | | | Please remember that you may not sell cigarette and |
| products must apply for and obtain a cigarette and | | | | or tobacco products without a valid Cigarette and |
| tobacco license/cigar license. All new applications must | | | | Tobacco License/Cigarette vending machine license. |
| be submitted with a one-time license fee (vary by | | | | Can our corporate office apply for licenses for all |
| state) for each retail location selling cigarettes or | | | | store locations, or does each store have to apply |
| tobacco products. Each retail location selling cigarettes | | | | separately? |
| or tobacco products must have a separate license. In | | | | A corporate office may submit a single application for |
| most states a license is valid for a twelve-month | | | | all of its stores, but the appropriate information |
| period, is not assignable or transferable, and must be | | | | (addresses, etc.) must be stated on the application |
| renewed annually. | | | | along with the submission of the fee for each store. |
| Please remember that you may not sell cigarette and | | | | Do I have to display the license? |
| or tobacco products without a valid Cigarette and | | | | Yes. Every retailer of cigarette and tobacco |
| Tobacco License. | | | | prominently display their license at each retail location in |
| What are my responsibilities as a holder of a retail | | | | a manner visible to the public. If retailers fail to display |
| cigarette license? | | | | the license, they are liable for a penalty and their |
| As a retailer of cigarettes or tobacco products you | | | | license may ultimately be subject to suspension and |
| must: | | | | revocation. |
| - Prominently display the license at each retail location | | | | What will happen if I do not obtain a license? |
| in a manner visible to the public. | | | | If you do not obtain a license and continue to sell |
| - Keep complete and legible purchase invoices for | | | | cigarettes or tobacco products, you will be subject to |
| cigarettes and tobacco products for four (4) years. | | | | fines or imprisonment up to one year, or both. |
| - Keep these invoices at the location indicated on your | | | | What types of products are covered under the law? |
| license for the first year after purchase. | | | | |
| - Allow Board staff or law enforcement agencies to | | | | You must obtain a license if you sell any type of |
| review your invoices upon request. | | | | tobacco products. These include cigarettes, cigars, |
| The law also adds record keeping requirements and | | | | smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, etc., as defined by |
| other provisions related to your purchase of cigarettes | | | | Revenue and Taxation department. |
| and tobacco products. | | | | |