Manchester, CT Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum sales age
- 21
- Covers e-cigarettes/vape
- Yes (Section 290-2)
- First-offense fine
- $250
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $500
- Enforcing agency
- Manchester Health Department
- Appeal deadline
- 10 days
Summary
The Town of Manchester's Code of Ordinances Chapter 290 bars any retailer from selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vape pens and e-hookahs, to anyone under 21. Retailers must post required age-21 warning signs. The Manchester Health Department enforces the chapter and can deny, suspend or revoke a retailer's license for violations, with fines starting at $250.
TOBACCO PRODUCT Any product that is made from or derived from tobacco, or that contains nicotine, that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed ... including, but not limited to, a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus. "Tobacco product" also means electronic smoking devices ... and any component or accessory used in the consumption of a tobacco product, such as filters, rolling papers, pipes, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, e-hookahs and liquids used in electronic smoking devices, whether or not they contain nicotine. ... No retailer or retailer's agent or employee shall give, sell, or otherwise distribute any tobacco product to any person under 21 years of age. ... Any person who sells, gives or delivers to any minor under 21 years of age any tobacco product, unless the minor is delivering or accepting delivery in his capacity as an employee, in any form shall be fined not less than $250 for the first offense, $350 for a second offense and $500 for each offense thereafter within two years of the latest violation.
Full Breakdown
Adopted by the Board of Directors on June 11, 2019, Chapter 290 defines "tobacco product" broadly enough to reach the vape trade: the ordinance expressly covers electronic smoking devices and any component used to consume them, including e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, e-hookahs and the liquids used in them, whether or not they contain nicotine (Section 290-2). Section 290-3 makes it unlawful for a retailer, or a retailer's agent or employee, to sell, give or otherwise distribute any tobacco or vape product to a person under 21, and requires the seller to check ID for anyone who appears under 30.
Section 290-4 requires a sign reading "The Sale of Tobacco or Nicotine Products or Devices to Persons Under 21 is Prohibited," printed in letters at least half an inch high, posted within 30 days of the chapter's effective date in every location where the products are sold. The General Manager or a designee enforces the chapter (Section 290-5), and the Manchester Health Department administers the licensing side: under Section 290-7 it may deny, suspend or revoke a retailer's license on written notice for violating state or local tobacco sales laws, filing false information, failing to pay fines, or otherwise conducting business in violation of the chapter.
Three violations within two years constitute a public nuisance, letting the town pursue civil legal action in addition to fines. All fines collected go into a fund the Health Department uses for licensing, education, training, retail inspections and unannounced compliance checks (Section 290-6D).
Violations & Fines
Selling or giving any tobacco or vape product to a person under 21 draws a fine of at least $250 for a first offense, $350 for a second, and $500 for each offense after that within a two-year window (Section 290-6A). Failing to post the required age-21 signage carries the same $250/$350/$500 tiers (Section 290-6B). A violator may appeal a fine notice to a hearing officer within 10 days, then to Superior Court (Section 290-8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Manchester's tobacco ordinance cover vape shops and e-cigarettes?
What is the penalty for selling tobacco or vape products to someone under 21 in Manchester?
Who enforces Manchester's tobacco and vape retail rules?
Can a Manchester retailer appeal a tobacco violation notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manchester
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