Tobacco License Types
If you make, sell, store, or distribute tobacco products in Maryland, you may need a tobacco license.
This page explains common tobacco license types, what each license allows, and who may need to apply.
Before You Apply
The ATCC recommends applying for tobacco licenses online through Maryland OneStop.
This page can help you:
- Choose the correct tobacco license type
- Find the correct application in Maryland OneStop
- Prepare the information needed to apply
Maryland OneStop forms are fully accessible.
If you prefer to use a paper application, email [email protected] to request a legacy form.
Applying online through Maryland OneStop is the fastest way to process your request. Paper forms and mailed payments take longer to review and may delay processing.
Choose a tobacco license type
Choose the license category that matches the products you make, sell, store, or distribute.
Cigarette licenses
Use this section if your business makes, stores, distributes, or sells cigarettes.
Cigarette Licenses
Use this license if you: Make or produce cigarettes.
What you can do
- Manufacture cigarettes
- Package or prepare cigarettes for sale
- Sell or transfer cigarettes as allowed by law
Who may need this license
- Cigarette manufacturers
- Businesses that produce cigarettes for distribution or sale
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow Maryland cigarette laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
- Additional approvals may apply depending on your business activity
Use this license if you: Buy cigarettes for resale to retailers or other authorized businesses.
What you can do
- Buy cigarettes for resale
- Sell cigarettes to licensed retailers or other authorized buyers
- Distribute cigarettes in Maryland
Who may need this license
- Cigarette distributors
- Businesses that sell cigarettes to retailers
- Businesses that supply multiple retail locations
Important limits or requirements
- You may only sell to authorized buyers
- You must follow Maryland cigarette laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Buy cigarettes from a wholesaler and resell them to retailers or other authorized businesses.
What you can do
- Buy cigarettes from licensed wholesalers
- Resell cigarettes to authorized buyers
Who may need this license
- Smaller cigarette distributors
- Businesses that buy from wholesalers and resell to retailers
Important limits or requirements
- You may only buy and sell cigarettes as allowed by your license
- You must follow Maryland cigarette laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Store cigarettes for another business or as part of a cigarette distribution operation.
What you can do
- Store cigarettes in Maryland
- Hold cigarettes before distribution or sale
Who may need this license
- Warehouses
- Logistics businesses
- Cigarette distributors with storage locations
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies to the approved storage location
- You must follow Maryland cigarette storage and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Sell cigarettes directly to consumers.
What you can do
- Sell cigarettes at an approved retail location
- Sell cigarettes directly to adult consumers
Who may need this license
- Convenience stores
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Liquor stores
- Other retail businesses that sell cigarettes
Important limits or requirements
- Each retail location may need its own license
- You must follow age verification and sales restrictions
- Product must be kept behind the counter and only accessible to an employee
- You must follow Maryland cigarette laws and inspection requirements
- Retail licenses are issued by the county/city clerk in your jurisdiction, not the ATCC
Other tobacco products (OTP) licenses
Use this section if your business makes, stores, distributes, or sells tobacco products other than cigarettes.
Examples may include cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, and similar tobacco products.
Other tobacco products (OTP) licenses
Use this license if you: Make or produce other tobacco products.
What you can do
- Manufacture other tobacco products
- Package or prepare other tobacco products for sale
- Sell or transfer other tobacco products as allowed by law
Who may need this license
- Cigar manufacturers
- Pipe tobacco manufacturers
- Businesses that produce non-cigarette tobacco products
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow Maryland tobacco laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
- Additional approvals may apply depending on your business activity
Use this license if you: Buy other tobacco products for resale to retailers or other authorized businesses.
What you can do
- Buy other tobacco products for resale
- Sell other tobacco products to licensed retailers or other authorized buyers
- Distribute other tobacco products in Maryland
Who may need this license
- Tobacco distributors
- Businesses that sell cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, or similar products to retailers
- Businesses that supply multiple retail locations
Important limits or requirements
- You may only sell to authorized buyers
- You must follow Maryland tobacco laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Store other tobacco products for another business or as part of a tobacco distribution operation.
What you can do
- Store other tobacco products in Maryland
- Hold other tobacco products before distribution or sale
Who may need this license
- Warehouses
- Logistics businesses
- Tobacco distributors with storage locations
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies to the approved storage location
- You must follow Maryland tobacco storage and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Operate a specialty business that primarily sells tobacco products.
What you can do
- Sell cigars, pipe tobacco, or other tobacco products directly to consumers
- Sell related tobacco accessories, if allowed
- Operate as a specialty tobacco business
Who may need this license
- Cigar shops
- Pipe tobacco shops
- Specialty tobacco retailers
Important limits or requirements
- The business must meet tobacconist license requirements, including that 70% of your sales must be of OTP.
- You must follow age verification and tobacco sales laws
- Product must be kept behind the counter and only accessible to an employee, unless you are a licensed tobacconist
- Local requirements may also apply
- Retail licenses are issued by the county/city clerk in your jurisdiction, not the ATCC
Electronic smoking device (ESD) licenses
Use this section if your business makes, stores, distributes, or sells electronic smoking devices or related products.
Electronic Smoking Device (ESD) Licenses
Use this license if you: Make or produce electronic smoking devices or related products.
What you can do
- Manufacture electronic smoking devices
- Package or prepare electronic smoking devices for sale
- Sell or transfer electronic smoking devices as allowed by law
Who may need this license
- Electronic smoking device manufacturers
- Businesses that produce vape devices or related products
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow Maryland electronic smoking device laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Additional approvals may apply depending on your business activity
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Buy electronic smoking devices or related products for resale to retailers or other authorized businesses.
What you can do
- Buy electronic smoking devices for resale
- Sell electronic smoking devices to licensed retailers or other authorized buyers
- Distribute electronic smoking devices in Maryland
Who may need this license
- Vape product distributors
- Businesses that sell electronic smoking devices to retailers
- Businesses that supply multiple retail locations
Important limits or requirements
- You may only sell to authorized buyers
- You must follow Maryland electronic smoking device laws and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Store electronic smoking devices for another business or as part of an ESD distribution operation.
What you can do
- Store electronic smoking devices in Maryland
- Hold electronic smoking devices before distribution or sale
Who may need this license
- Warehouses
- Logistics businesses
- ESD distributors with storage locations
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies to the approved storage location
- You must follow Maryland electronic smoking device storage and recordkeeping requirements
- Tax and reporting requirements may also apply through the Comptroller
Use this license if you: Sell electronic smoking devices or vape products directly to consumers.
What you can do
- Sell electronic smoking devices
- Sell vape products and related items
- Sell directly to adult consumers
Who may need this license
- Vape shops
- Specialty electronic smoking device retailers
- Retailers that primarily sell vape-related products
Important limits or requirements
- You must follow age verification and sales restrictions
- Product must be kept behind the counter and only accessible to an employee
- You must follow Maryland electronic smoking device laws
- Local requirements may also apply
- Retail licenses are issued by the county/city clerk in your jurisdiction, not the ATCC
Common examples
Use these examples to help choose the right license.
- Selling cigarettes at a convenience store → Cigarette Retailer License
- Distributing cigarettes to stores → Cigarette Wholesaler License
- Operating a cigar shop → Tobacconist License
- Distributing cigars or pipe tobacco → OTP Wholesaler License
- Operating a vape shop → Vape Shop Vendor License
- Distributing vape products → ESD Wholesaler License
- Storing tobacco products for distribution → Storage Warehouse License
Making cigarettes, tobacco products, or electronic smoking devices → Manufacturer License
Responsible departments
ATCC licenses tobacco businesses and enforces tobacco and electronic smoking device laws. The local clerks issue retail licenses. The Maryland Cannabis Administration issues dispensary and other cannabis licenses. The Comptroller handles taxes and reporting.
Recommended Callout
ATCC licenses
ATCC licenses tobacco businesses and enforces tobacco and electronic smoking device laws. The local clerks issue retail licenses. The Maryland Cannabis Administration issues dispensary and other cannabis licenses. The Comptroller handles taxes and reporting.