Committee backs ordinance to require New Haven tobacco and vaping retail permits, fines and enforcement

The New Haven Board of Alders’ legislative committee on Feb. 11 voted to forward to the full Board a revised ordinance that would require city permits for retailers that sell tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products, set tiered fines and suspensions for violations, and authorize unannounced compliance checks and a local appeal process.

Alder Ellen Kubo, chair of the Legislative Committee, said the ordinance would let New Haven “monitor and regulate the activities of these establishments” and address complaints about illegal sales, marketing near youth and neighborhood quality-of-life problems.

The ordinance, filed as OR-2025-003, would amend Chapter 17 of the New Haven Code of Ordinances to require all tobacco and smoking-product retailers to obtain a city permit and to complete annual licensing through the city’s licensing system. Director Von of the New Haven Health Department said the city counted 195 tobacco dealers in May 2024 and identified 212 by October 2024 as more smoke shops opened.

"By establishing a permit system, we will be able to monitor and regulate the activities of these establishments to ensure they comply with all rules and regulations applicable to them," Director Von said during the committee presentation.

Under the proposed enforcement scheme, the ordinance would use a tiered penalty schedule: a first violation would carry a fine of $150; a second violation within 36 months would carry a fine of $500 and may include a seven-calendar-day suspension of the tobacco permit; a third violation within 36 months could carry a fine of $1,000 (or the maximum…