Texas Comptroller licenses tobacco and e-cigarette retailers statewide under Tax Code Chapter 154 and 155. Austin City Code Chapter 7 adds local age-of-sale enforcement and inspections for cigarette and e-cigarette dealers.
Texas requires every retailer selling cigarettes, cigars, tobacco products, or e-cigarettes to obtain a permit from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Permits cost approximately $180 every two years and must be displayed at each location. Austin City Code Chapter 7 governs tobacco-related public health rules and supports state enforcement of age verification, signage, and compliance checks coordinated with Austin Public Health. State law since 2019 raised the minimum sales age to 21 and bans sales to anyone unable to produce valid identification. Online and mail order sales must verify age. Vending machine placement is restricted to adult-only premises. Repeat violations can lead to permit suspension or revocation by the Texas Comptroller.
Selling without a state permit is a Class A misdemeanor; selling to a minor or without proper age verification carries fines $100-$1,000 plus permit suspension under Health & Safety Code Sec. 161.085.
Austin, TX
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