Tobacco and vape retailers in St. Louis must hold a city business license and comply with Missouri's statewide Tobacco 21 law, with city inspectors and SLMPD checking ID compliance and signage.
Title XI requires every tobacco, e-cigarette, and vape retailer to hold a current St. Louis business license issued by the License Collector. Retailers must post the Missouri Tobacco 21 notice (MO §407.926, effective 2024) at every point of sale, verify photo ID for any buyer who appears under 30, and refuse sales of flavored vape products restricted under FDA orders. The Department of Health audits records during routine inspections, and SLMPD conducts periodic compliance checks. Missouri preempts most local product bans, so St. Louis enforces age and licensing rules rather than flavor bans.
Selling to anyone under 21, missing required signage, or operating without a license can trigger fines, business license suspension, and referral to the Missouri Attorney General for repeat violators.
See how St. Louis's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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