Worcester, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)

Chapter 8, Section 3(h) of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 bars any retailer from selling or distributing tobacco products in Worcester without first obtaining a permit issued by the Commissioner of Public Health or a designee. Only owners of establishments with a permanent, non-mobile location in the city are eligible to apply, and a permit is tied to a specified location. Applicants must sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the ordinance and agreeing to instruct employees on both state tobacco law and the city ordinance; no employee may sell tobacco until they acknowledge that instruction in writing, with the acknowledgment kept on file with the employer.

Section 3(h)(3) also requires proof of a current tobacco sales license from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue before the city permit issues. The first permit issued is an 'initial' permit expiring December 31 of that year; renewals become 'annual' permits running the full calendar year and must be renewed by December 31. A separate permit is required per retail establishment, permits must be displayed conspicuously, and they are non-transferable except for relocation of the same holder or sale to a new owner at the same location, both requiring prior notice to and approval from the Commissioner, with all outstanding penalties settled first.

Section 3(i) separately bans all tobacco vending machines citywide, and the definition of 'tobacco products' in Section 3(b) expressly reaches electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars and electronic pipes, so vape retailers fall under the same permit requirement.