Tobacco retailers must hold a Texas Comptroller cigarette and tobacco permit. Sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited under Texas Health and Safety Code 161.0815, with exceptions for active military.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 161.0815, enacted in 2019, raised the legal sales age for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products to 21, aligning with the federal Tobacco 21 law. The Texas Comptroller issues cigarette and tobacco retailer permits; Arlington does not require a separate city tobacco license. Retailers must check government photo ID for any buyer under 30, refuse sales to underage purchasers, and post age-restriction notices. Active-duty military personnel age 18 to 20 with valid military ID are exempt under Texas law. Arlington Police and the Texas Comptroller conduct undercover compliance checks; vape shops are inspected with extra scrutiny.
Selling to a minor is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 per first offense, escalating to $1,000 for repeats. Three violations in two years can trigger permit suspension or revocation by the Comptroller.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle tobacco retail license.
See how Arlington's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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