Minneapolis requires every retailer selling tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or related products to hold a city tobacco license, with a state-mandated minimum purchase age of 21 under Minn. Stat. 609.685.
Title 8, Chapter 281 of the Minneapolis Code requires any person selling tobacco, vape, or nicotine products from a fixed location to obtain a tobacco dealer license through the Department of Health. Licenses must be renewed annually and posted in plain view. Minneapolis caps total tobacco licenses citywide and prohibits issuance of new licenses near schools. Minnesota state law preempts local age rules but sets the floor at 21 years for purchase, possession, and sale. Compliance checks are conducted with underage decoys, and clerks must verify identification for buyers appearing under 30.
Selling without a license or to anyone under 21 carries administrative penalties starting at $300 and up to license suspension or revocation for repeat violations within a 24-month window.
See how Minneapolis's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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