Anyone who wishes to engage in the wholesale or retail business of trafficking in cigarettes in the state of Ohio must have a license to do so per Ohio Revised Code 5743.15.

License Fee

Retail Cigarette Dealers licenses may be obtained at the County Auditor's office for a fee of $125.00. If a new license is filed after the fourth Monday in May, the license will be pro-rated. The license is renewed annually on or before the fourth Monday in May with a new application. There is no pro-ration when a license is renewed. To obtain a cigarette dealer’s license the licensee must also possess a vendor’s license. Wholesale Licenses are available only through the Ohio Department of Taxation.

License Location

The license does not authorize the licensee to engage in the business of trafficking in cigarettes at any place of business in this state other than that specified by the Auditor. (One license is good for one location)

Any person who employs the use of a motor vehicle to convey a supply of cigarettes from place to place for the purpose of offering such cigarettes for sale must obtain a license for each vehicle in each county in which any vehicle is used.

In the event that a business is moved from one location to another, or the business is sold, or an individual or partnership incorporates his own business, or a partnership or corporation is dissolved, the cigarette license which has been issued to a dealer prior to the occurrence of any such event may not be used, and a new license must be obtained.

License Display

Cigarette licenses are to be displayed near the product being sold for easy inspection. If cigarettes are being sold in your place of business and you do not have a license or your vending machine does not have one displayed, please contact your local Auditor’s office.