Tobacco retailers in Columbus need an Ohio Department of Taxation cigarette license and a vapor-product license under ORC Chapter 5743. Columbus passed a flavored-tobacco ordinance in 2022, but Ohio HB 513 (2024) preempts most local product bans, leaving narrow city authority.
Ohio Revised Code 5743.15 requires retailers to hold a cigarette dealer license and pay annual fees per location. ORC 5743.71 added vapor-product retailer licenses in 2019. The Ohio Department of Taxation administers both, with Columbus Public Health enforcing federal Tobacco 21 sales-to-minors prohibitions. Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 0166-2022 banning flavored tobacco, including menthol, but state House Bill 513 (signed 2024) preempts local product bans and made enforcement uncertain pending litigation. Columbus retains zoning authority over smoke-shops under Title 33 and may inspect, but cannot prohibit specific flavored products. Federal FDA premarket tobacco authorization rules also apply.
Selling without an Ohio cigarette or vapor license carries fines under ORC 5743.99 plus suspension. Selling to minors under 21 brings federal Tobacco 21 civil penalties and Ohio Department of Taxation actions. Local flavor-ban enforcement is limited by HB 513.
Columbus, OH
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See how Columbus's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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