Riverside tobacco and vape retailers must hold a valid California Department of Tax and Fee Administration tobacco retailer license, comply with display and sales restrictions, and renew annually to remain in operation.
Under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act, every Riverside retailer that sells tobacco, e-cigarettes, or nicotine products must obtain a CDTFA license before any sale. License fees are set by statute and renewed annually. Self-service displays are banned for cigarettes and most products, requiring clerk-assisted sales. Stores within 1,000 feet of schools face additional location scrutiny. STAKE Act decoy operations check both ID compliance and licensing. Selling without a license is a misdemeanor and exposes the retailer to inventory seizure and excise tax assessment by CDTFA investigators.
Operating without a tobacco retailer license, allowing self-service of cigarettes, or selling to a STAKE decoy results in fines, license suspension or revocation, and possible misdemeanor charges.
Riverside, CA
California law sets the minimum age to purchase or possess tobacco and vape products at 21, and Riverside retailers must verify identification for any buyer ...
Riverside, CA
Senate Bill 793, upheld by Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products and tobacco product flavor enhancers throughout Riv...
See how Riverside's vape retail rules rules stack up against other locations.
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