New Rules for Tobacco Sales and Smoke Shops in Cleveland

Apr 15, 2025

Cleveland City Council has passed four new laws aimed at updating and strengthening the city’s tobacco and smoke shop regulations. Among the changes is a requirement that all retailers selling tobacco products must now obtain an annual license for each location.

The first law updates Cleveland’s existing tobacco and smoke shop ordinance to align with current Ohio state laws. 

The second establishes the “Cleveland Tobacco Retail Licensing Regulation,” which mandates that all retailers acquire a license for each store selling tobacco products within city limits. An annual licensing fee will apply. Read ordinance 187-2025 and accompanying documents. 

The third law introduces new zoning restrictions for smoke shops. These establishments can no longer be located within two miles of another smoke shop, cannot share a building with another smoke shop, and must be at least 500 feet away from churches, schools, parks, playgrounds, and libraries. Read ordinance 188-2025 and accompanying documents. 

The final measure limits how much signage can be displayed in shop windows. Under the new rule, signage may occupy no more than 25% of a window’s surface area. Read ordinance 189-2025 and accompanying documents.

The legislation was passed unanimously by Council at the April 14th meeting. Both the limits on smoke shop locations and the window display restrictions go into effect immediately after being signed by the Mayor. In 2016, Cleveland raised the age to buy tobacco products to 21.