FAQs: Tobacco and Vaping Products

The state of Missouri does not require a license to sell tobacco or vaping products. However, retailers are required by state law to register with the Department of Revenue if they intend to sell tobacco or vaping products.

No, but the retailer should make sure the excise taxes have been paid on the tobacco products. Click to review the Missouri Department of Revenue’s Tobacco Products Guidance. There is no excise tax of vaping products in Missouri.

Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products must be kept behind a counter. There is no such regulation for vaping products, pipe tobacco or cigars.

A good place to start is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Click here for the FDA site. Tobacco and vaping training can be obtained from ATC by calling (573) 751-2333.

Vending machines that dispense single-sale tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products can be used, but they must be located within the unobstructed line of sight and under direct supervision of an adult to prevent persons less than eighteen* years of age from purchasing them, or be equipped with a lock-out device to prevent the machines from being operated when not being monitored. Alternatively, if located in an area where persons less than eighteen years of age are not permitted, a locking device is not required. See also § 407.931.2, RSMo and Public Advisory 26-04. As noted in the advisory, federal and local rules are often more restrictive, and retailers are highly encouraged to contact both the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products and your local jurisdiction to be fully informed.

*While the age to purchase is statutorily set at eighteen (18) years of age for Missouri, federal law took effect in December 2019, prohibiting retailers from selling all tobacco products to anyone under twenty-one (21).