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An Official Vermont Government Website

Tobacco

The Attorney General’s Tobacco Unit was created in 2002 to enforce state laws relating to tobacco sales. The unit has been active in enforcing the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which Vermont and 51 other states and territories signed in 1998. The unit also oversees implementation of Vermont’s tobacco laws, including the Clean Indoor Air laws, ban on sales to minors, licensing and tax requirements, and restrictions on the distribution and retail sales of tobacco products.

GENERAL INFORMATION

TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS

It is illegal to sell, offer, or possess for sale cigarettes (including roll-your-own tobacco) not included on the Attorney General’s Directory of Manufacturers and Brand Families Compliant with 33 V.S.A. Chapter 19, Subchapters 1A and 1B.

WHOLESALE DEALERS

In Vermont, a licensed wholesale dealer may sell tobacco products only to other Vermont licensed wholesale dealers or to Vermont licensed retail dealers. Title 32 § 7731. A wholesale dealer’s license does not allow sales to individual consumers, including employees.

Effective September 1st 2018, beginning with the August 2018 filing period, the State of Vermont no longer requires you to file an additional NPM report with the Office of Vermont Attorney General. You will now be required to only submit the one NPM report that is part of your monthly Cigarette and Tobacco tax return (Form CTT-646) with the Vermont Department of Taxes. Please click on the following links to find out more information of how you can file the NPM report and the monthly Cigarette and Tobacco Tax return (Form CTT-646) with the Tax Department. If you have any questions, please contact the Vermont Tax Department at 802-828-2551 or email tax.miscellaneous@vermont.gov. Thank you.

View the current listing of Cigarette Brands Certified as Fire-Safe and Legal for Sale in Vermont, Approved Package Markings, and RYO Brands Legal for Sale in Vermont.

In order to sell tobacco products in Vermont, wholesale dealers must be licensed by the Vermont Department of Taxes, and comply with all applicable tax statutes. For more information contact misctaxes@vermont.gov. All cigarettes sold in Vermont must be certified as “fire-safe” under 20 V.S.A. §§ 2756–2757. For more information please visit the website of the Vermont Department of Public Safety.

RETAILERS

In order to engage in retail sales of tobacco products, retailers must obtain a license from the Department of Liquor & Lottery. In order to engage in retail sales of tobacco substitutes, which include electronic cigarettes and their components, retailers must also obtain a tobacco substitutes endorsement from the Department of Liquor & Lottery. For more information, contact Director of Licensing Martin Prevost at martin.prevost@vermont.gov. All tobacco products sold in Vermont must be obtained from Vermont licensed wholesale dealers.

View the current listing of Cigarette Brands Certified as Fire-Safe and Legal for Sale in Vermont, Approved Package Markings, and RYO Brands Legal for Sale in Vermont.

Sales of tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, and tobacco paraphernalia to individuals under the age of 21 are illegal.

FDA Information for Retailers of Tobacco Products (including vaping products)

 

BAN ON INTERNET AND MAIL ORDER TOBACCO SALES

Effective July 1, 2008, 7 V.S.A. § 1010 makes it illegal for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, little cigars, or snuff, ordered or purchased by telephone, mail order, or through the Internet, to be shipped directly to consumers in Vermont.

Recent enforcement actions and press releases related to Vermont’s ban on internet tobacco sales are available here.

TOBACCO RELATED LINKS

For more information on how to get help quitting smoking, please visit: 802 Quits, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).