BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
TOBACCO RETAIL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
The mission of the Tobacco Retail Enforcement Program (TREP) is to encourage responsible tobacco retailing and to discourage violations of tobacco-related laws, especially those which prohibit or discourage the sale or distribution of tobacco and nicotine products to minors. (LB Municipal Code 5.81) The Long Beach City Council adopted this ordinance on February 12, 2008. Since the program’s implementation, there has been an overall decline of 30.3% in illegal tobacco sales to minors in Long Beach. These statistics are conducted annually through Youth Purchase Survey, more information can be found under commonly asked questions. For further information about TREP or obtaining a permit please call 562-570-7905. For resources for quitting smoking, click here.
PERMANENT FLAVOR TOBACCO BAN
All flavored tobacco products must be removed by Sunday, August 15th, 2021. For a full text of the ordinance click here.
On April 13, 2021, the Long Beach City Council approved to permanently prohibit the sale of certain flavored tobacco products within the City of Long Beach. Under the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC), Chapter 5.81, flavored tobacco products include but are not limited to:
- Menthol tobacco products (cigarettes, snus, chew, etc.)
- Flavored cigarillos
- Flavored electronic devices (such as electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic pipes, electronic hookahs, vapes, vaporizers, and vape pens.)
- Flavored electronic smoking device fluids.
- Flavored (cigarettes, snus, chew, etc.)
The ordinance does not apply to:
- The sale of shisha tobacco products by a hookah tobacco retailer if certain conditions are met.
- The sale of loose-leaf tobacco or premium cigars.
- The sale of premium cigars sold in cigar lounges where products are purchased and consumed only on the premises.
- "Premium cigar" means any cigar that is handmade, is not mass-produced by use of mechanization, has a wrapper that is made entirely from whole tobacco leaf, and has a wholesale price of no less than twelve dollars ($12). A premium cigar does not have a filter, tip, or nontobacco mouthpiece and is capped by hand.
3-7-23 SB793 Flavor Tobacco Ban Notification Letter
Press Release Permanent Flavor Ban
City of Long Beach DHHS Tobacco Retail Program FAQs
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Do I need a permit to sell tobacco products?
You must have a valid Tobacco Retail Permit issued annually by the City of Long Beach
This permit requirement has been enacted to discourage the sale of tobacco products to minors. Anyone who sells tobacco products without an annual city permit is subject to criminal prosecution which may be punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine (Long Beach Municipal Code 5.81). The City of Long Beach annual Tobacco Retail Permit is required in addition to your State Tobacco License issued by the California Department of Tax and Free Administration. Call 1-800-400-7115 or visit https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/. Nearest office is located at 12750 Center Court Drive South, Ste. 400 Cerritos, CA 90703-8594. Office Phone 562-356-1102.
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Who is required to obtain an annual Long Beach Tobacco Retail Permit?
Anyone who sells cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and vaping products within the City of Long Beach. This annual City Permit is in addition to the annual Cigarette and Tobacco Retailer License issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Call (800) 400-7115 or visit https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/.
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What are the requirements of the City's Tobacco Retail Permit?
The Tobacco Retail Permit requires that tobacco retailers comply with federal, state and local tobacco-related laws, including provisions of the City's Tobacco Retail Permit. Information about the City's Tobacco Retail Permit can also be found in Section 5.81 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. The Long Beach City Council adopted this ordinance on February 12, 2008 to encourage responsible retailing and to discourage violations of federal, state and local tobacco-related laws, especially those that prohibit the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors.
Educational materials regarding local, state, and federal tobacco laws can be obtained by contacting the Tobacco Retail Enforcement Program at (562) 570-7905.
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How much does the Long Beach Tobacco Retail Permit cost?
As of July 1, 2023, the annual fee is $670.00 for each permit (at each location). The term of the permit is one year beginning August 1 and ending on July 31 of the following year.
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How do I obtain the annual Long Beach Tobacco Retail Permit?
You must first submit an application by mail or fax to the Tobacco Retail Enforcement Program at: 2525 Grand Ave, Room 220 Long Beach, CA 90815. Fax #:(562)570-4038
Once your application is approved, you will be billed for the annual permit fee.
Your Tobacco Retail Permit must be renewed annually and will not be issued until payment is received. (DO NOT MAIL PAYMENT WITH YOUR APPLICATION)
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How long is the permit effective?
The permit is effective for one year, from August 1st to July 31st, and has to be renewed annually. Tobacco retailers will receive a renewal bill each July.
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Do I need to re-apply for the permit every year?
No. If you have not changed retailing locations, you do not have to re-apply for the permit. However, you must pay an annual permit fee. If the retail business has been sold, the new owner must apply for a new permit. A tobacco retailer who sells their business should notify the Long Beach Health Department by calling (562)570-7905.
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Can I sell tobacco from a mobile location?
No. It is illegal to engage in the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, and/or tobacco paraphernalia from a non-fixed location (vehicles, mobile carts, ice cream, catering trucks). Retailing by persons on foot is also prohibited.
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Will there be inspections?
Yes. Environmental Health Inspectors will conduct regular site inspections of retailers for compliance with local, state, and federal tobacco retail laws. The Long Beach Police Department will conduct random undercover youth decoy operations to check for compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors.
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I plan to sell tobacco products at a Special Event in Long Beach. Do I need a separate Permit?
Yes. A Special Event Tobacco Retail Permit is required to sell tobacco products and/or tobacco paraphernalia at a special event where the public is invited. The Special Event Permit fee is $145 per vendor plus $60 each additional day. Complete the application below and return it to the Tobacco Retail Enforcement Program located at 2525 Grand Ave Room 220, Long Beach CA 90815.
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Where can I get an application?
Applications are available:
- Health Department: 2525 Grand Avenue Room 220, Long Beach, CA 90815
- Telephone: Call (562) 570-7905 and request an application be sent to you
- City Hall: 411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Or download the annual Tobacco Retail Permit Application here: Annual City of Long Beach Tobacco Retail Permit Application
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What Is Fresh Air Dining, And How Does It Affect My Business?
On December 18, 2018, the Long Beach City Council amended the City’s No-Smoking Ordinance (LBMC 8.68) to adopt new smoking regulations that affect smoking on outdoor dining patios. The amendments go into effect as of January 19, 2019. For a full text of the ordinance click here, for more information please visit longbeach.gov/smokefree.
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Where Can I Apply For A Fresh Air Dining Special Event Permit, If I Want To Allow Smoking On My Patio?
To apply for a Fresh Air Dining Special Event permit, visit http://filmlongbeach.com/specialevents/applicationsandforms
To download an application, click here.
Under subsection LBMC 8.68, unless otherwise authorized by the City Manager in his/her sole discretion, a special event under this subsection shall not last longer than ten (10) consecutive calendar days at one (1) site, per facility and shall be limited to not more than twice in any calendar year at any one (1) site. Must maintain a contiguous no smoking area of not less than 2/3 of the outdoor dining area during the duration of the event.
