Vape and e-cigarette retailers in Boston need a tobacco permit from the Boston Public Health Commission, must follow the citywide retailer cap, the age-21 minimum sales age, and the flavor ban that excludes most non-tobacco-flavor vape products from store sales.
Vaping shops and any retailer selling nicotine vapor products must hold a BPHC Tobacco Sales Permit and comply with the same rules as cigarette retailers, including the age-21 minimum, photo-ID verification, employee training, and the citywide retailer cap that limits new permits when current density is exceeded. The 2019 Massachusetts flavor ban removes nearly all flavored vape liquids from general retail; only tobacco-flavored nicotine vapor products may be sold off-premises. Adult-only nicotine vaping retailers (with a state Smoking Bar designation) may permit on-site vaping under tightly limited conditions. BPHC inspects regularly and partners with MA DPH on the statewide vape product registry.
Selling unregistered vape products, flavored vapes, or to minors can trigger BPHC fines of $1,000 or more per offense, multi-day permit suspensions, product seizure, and full permit revocation.
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