Tobacco and vape retailers in Saint Paul need a city license under Legislative Code Chapter 324, with flavored-tobacco restrictions limiting menthol and fruit flavors to adult-only tobacco shops, plus federal Tobacco-21 enforcement.
Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 324 requires every retailer selling tobacco, electronic delivery devices, or related products to hold a city tobacco license. Saint Paul restricts flavored tobacco sales (including menthol) to adult-only tobacco shops where minors are prohibited, mirroring action taken across the Twin Cities region. State law preempts age limits at 21 (Minn. Stat. Section 609.685, Tobacco 21 conformed in 2020). License caps may apply by zoning district. Compliance checks by SPPD and Department of Safety and Inspections include underage-buyer stings, with progressive license suspension and revocation for repeat violations.
License suspension up to 30 days for first sale-to-minor violation, revocation for repeated infractions, plus fines up to $2,000 per offense and possible criminal charges under state law.
See how Saint Paul's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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