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Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission

Tobacco Licensing, Regulation, and Compliance

Tobacco sales in Maryland are regulated to protect public health and prevent underage access.

ATCC licenses tobacco businesses, sets regulatory requirements, and enforces laws in coordination with health departments and other partners.

Who regulates tobacco?

Tobacco regulation in Maryland involves multiple agencies working together.

  • ATCC: Licensing, regulation, and enforcement
  • Comptroller: Collects tobacco taxes and oversees wholesalers
  • Health Departments: Conduct compliance checks and enforce youth access laws

Selling tobacco in Maryland

To sell tobacco legally, businesses must:

  • Obtain the required licenses
  • Follow age restrictions (21+)
  • Verify identification
  • Comply with product and sales regulations

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Inspections and compliance checks

Businesses may be subject to inspections and compliance checks to ensure tobacco laws are followed.

This may include:

  • Routine inspections
  • Compliance checks, including underage sales enforcement
  • Investigations of potential violations

These efforts help ensure that tobacco products are sold responsibly and in accordance with public health laws.

Common compliance issues

Some of the most common issues include:

  • Selling to underage customers
  • Unpaid tobacco taxes
  • Purchasing from unlicensed wholesalers
  • Selling unstamped products

Understanding these requirements can help businesses avoid violations and stay compliant.

Compliance and enforcement

ATCC works with health departments and other partners to enforce tobacco laws and support compliance across the industry.

Enforcement efforts focus on:

  • Preventing underage access to tobacco products
  • Ensuring proper licensing and tax compliance
  • Supporting safe and lawful business operations

ATCC takes a compliance-first approach and works with businesses to help them meet requirements whenever possible.

Protecting public health

Tobacco regulation plays an important role in:

  • Reducing youth access to tobacco products
  • Promoting responsible retail practices
  • Supporting community health and safety

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