Montgomery County, MD Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 0.5 miles from schools/library/rec facility
- Who is regulated
- Manufacturers, not retailers
- Violation class
- Class C civil violation, per day
- Added by
- 2020 L.M.C., ch. 13
Summary
Montgomery County bars manufacturers from distributing flavored electronic cigarettes to any retail store within a half-mile of schools, libraries, or recreation facilities, targeting products with fruit, mint, menthol, or candy flavoring under County Code Section 24-16.
Flavored electronic cigarette means any electronic cigarette or any component part thereof that contains a constituent that imparts a characterizing flavor. ... (b) Unlawful distribution. A manufacturer must not distribute any flavored electronic cigarette to any retail store within 0.5 miles of any elementary, middle, or high school, library, or recreational facility in the County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code Section 24-16 makes it unlawful for a manufacturer to distribute any flavored electronic cigarette to a retail store within 0.5 miles of any elementary, middle, or high school, library, or recreational facility in the County. 'Characterizing flavor' covers fruit, mint, menthol, wintergreen, chocolate, vanilla, honey, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, herb, or spice tastes, other than tobacco itself. The rule targets manufacturers and distributors rather than the retailers who sell the product, and sits in Article II, Smoking, Tobacco, and Nicotine, added by 2020 L.M.C., ch. 13, alongside a companion 0.5-mile ban on distributing any electronic cigarette near schools at Section 24-15.
Violations & Fines
Class C civil violation under Section 24-9(l), which applies article-wide; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, and the County Attorney or an affected party may sue to enjoin repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this ban selling flavored vapes countywide?
What counts as a flavored e-cigarette?
What's the penalty for violating Section 24-16?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
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