Selling tobacco, vapor products, or hookah in the District requires a DCRA Tobacco Retailer endorsement under DC Code 7-1721 et seq., with strict limits on flavored products and proximity to schools.
Tobacco retailers must hold a Basic Business License with a Tobacco Retailer endorsement issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (formerly DCRA). The Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products Prohibition Amendment Act bans most flavored cigarettes, e-liquids, cigars, and hookah within DC, with narrow exemptions for certain hookah lounges grandfathered before 2022. Retailers cannot sell within 1,000 feet of public, charter, or private schools, and must verify ID for buyers under 30. Violations escalate from fines to license suspension and revocation, enforced by DC Health and DLCP inspectors.
Selling banned flavored products, selling without an endorsement, or selling to anyone under 21 triggers fines up to $10,000, license suspension, and product seizure by DC Health.
See how Washington's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
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