Tobacco Retailer Education and Enforcement

The Howard County Health Department partners with veteran law enforcement officers to educate tobacco retailers about the law and conduct compliance checks. Underage purchasers, working with the enforcement officers, visit retailers and attempt to purchase. If retailers ask for ID and refuse the sale, they pass. If retailers make the sale to the underage customer, they fail and receive a Civil Citation – Howard County Code 12.1301a. Licensed tobacco retailers with multiple violations will be referred to the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC).

This initiative is funded by the Cigarette Restitution Fund.

It is against federal, state, and Howard County law to sell ANY tobacco product, including electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, pod-based devices such as JUUL and their e-liquids, and component parts and accessories) to anyone under the age of 21.

• To comply with tobacco laws, retailers and clerks must:
  • Post an age of sale sign (compliant with the new T21 law).
  • Use a driver’s license or government-issued ID to verify customer age.
  • Train all staff on tobacco sales procedures and policies to:
    • Ask for valid photo ID from everyone under 30. (An employer or school ID is not permitted).
    • Check to make sure everyone is at least 21.
    • Refuse to sell tobacco and e-cigarette products to everyone under 21.
• The licensee/owner, not the clerk, may be subject to a civil penalty in violation of Howard County Code of Ordinance 12.1301(a) up to:
  • $500 for a first violation.
  • $1,000 for a second violation or each subsequent violation occurring within twelve (12) months of the first violation.
  • A retailer's license to sell tobacco will be suspended or revoked if two (2) or more violations occur within twelve (12) months of each other.

Maryland Tobacco 21 Law and Penalties

Howard County Tobacco 21 Law and Penalties

• Placement of Tobacco Products
• Distribution of Tobacco Products to Individuals Under Age of 21
• Distribution of Tobacco Products

Maryland Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program

FDA Approved Tobacco Product

To obtain a tobacco license in Howard County, Maryland, you'll need to apply for both a state license through the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) and a local license through the Howard County Circuit Court. You'll need to register with the Central Registration Division of the Comptroller's Office first, then apply at the Clerk of the Court's License Department.

• Register with the Central Registration Division:
  • This is a prerequisite for obtaining any business license in Maryland. You can find the application through the Maryland Business Express portal.
• Apply for the State License:
  • The state license is issued by the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC).
  • You'll need to submit a completed application, which can be found on the ATCC website, along with the required fees.
  • This includes a separate license for each location and for vending machines, if applicable.
• Apply for the County License:
  • In Howard County, you'll apply for the local license at the Office of the Clerk, License Department, Circuit Court.
  • You'll need to provide the entity or sole proprietorship SDAT account number, name, trade name (if applicable), Federal Tax ID or Social Security number, Sales and Use tax account number, location and mailing addresses, phone number, and worker's compensation number (if applicable).
  • For a trader's license, you'll also need to provide the amount of inventory in dollars.
• Tobacco licenses expire on April 30th and must be renewed annually.

• Please complete the “Smoking Violation Report Form” below if you have knowledge that a tobacco retailer in Howard County is or has violated the Tobacco 21 law. The report will be sent to the Howard County Department of Police. The establishment or locations that you have reported being in violation will be added to the “Watch List” that is distributed to a network of County field agencies who routinely regulate various aspects of public establishments.
  • Smoking Violation Report Form