About the Program
The City of Oxford is committed to promoting public health and ensuring the responsible distribution of tobacco and vape products. To achieve these objectives, the City has launched a Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) Program. This program is designed to regulate and monitor the sale of tobacco and vape products within our jurisdiction by ensuring that "No person, tobacco retailer, or tobacco retail establishment shall sell or offer to sell any tobacco product without first having obtained a license from the City of Oxford." You can review the full details of the program in Ordinance No. 3799, adopted by City Council on February 18, 2025.
For Tobacco Retailers
Registration Process
Beginning on January 1, 2025, retailers currently operating and interested in continuing to sell tobacco and vape products within the City of Oxford must register for the TRL Program. To register, please fill out the Tobacco Retail Business Registration Form.
Download Registration Form
License Fee
There is a non-refundable license fee of $250 for the program. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with managing and enforcing the licensing program and conducting compliance checks. Once approved, the tobacco retail license is valid for one year, spanning January 1 to December 31.
Check should be made payable to the "City of Oxford: Attention TRL" and delivered or mailed to 15 S. College Ave. Oxford, OH 45056.
Density and Location Restrictions
As part of the TRL Program, it is important to note that there is a restriction on the number of allowable vape and tobacco retailers within the City of Oxford. This limit will be established by allowing one vape/tobacco retailer per 1,500 inhabitants within the incorporated limits of the City of Oxford. Population density for Oxford will be determined according to the latest decennial census.
Using data from the 2020 census of 23,044 residents in Oxford, the current limit of tobacco and vape retailers is set at 15. We have identified 23 businesses within the City of Oxford that are subject to regulation under the TRL program.
Additionally, retailers are prohibited from operating within 500 feet of youth-oriented facilities, as outlined in Section 744.06 of the City of Oxford Codified Ordinances.
All vape and tobacco retailers currently operating within the City of Oxford will be allowed to continue their operations once they apply for and receive their TRL. However, existing businesses are prohibited from any substantial expansion or transfer beyond their current locations. Be advised all existing retailers must obtain the Tobacco Retail License on or before January 31, 2025 to continue legal operations.
Penalties
Any establishment that violated any federal, state, or local law relating to tobacco product sales shall be subject to the penalties outlined in section 744.10 06 of the City of Oxford Codified Ordinances and pursuant to Section 537.16 of the Oxford Municipal Code pertaining to the illegal distribution and sale of tobacco products. These penalties include but are not limited to, fines and/or prohibition of the sale of tobacco products.
To ensure legal operations of a tobacco or vape operation, all TRL Program-licensed retailers are required to have all staff members complete instructional programming on the lawful sale of tobacco and vape products.
Closing
We understand that the TRL Program represents a significant change for tobacco retailers. We are committed to assisting retailers through the registration process and answering questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) Program is a regulatory initiative designed to oversee and regulate the sale of tobacco and vape products within the City of Oxford. It aims to promote public health, responsible retail practices, and protect our community.
Program registration opens on November 1, 2024. All retailers interested in selling tobacco and vape products within the City of Oxford must register for the program. Program enforcement begins on January 1, 2025.
The license fee is $250. This non-refundable fee covers the administrative costs of managing the licensing program and conducting compliance checks.
The Tobacco Retail License is valid from January 1 to December 31. You must renew it annually and will be charged $250 for each annual license. There is no proration of a TRL fee, and all licenses expire annually on the final day of December. Requests for renewal of a TRL must be made from November 1 to November 30 in the preceding licensing period.
Yes, new retailers cannot operate within 500 feet of youth-oriented facilities. The City also limits the density to one vape/tobacco retailer per 1,500 inhabitants, as determined by the latest decennial census. Current tobacco and vape retailers who acquire and maintain their TRL are not subject to these restrictions.
Yes, existing and operating vape and tobacco retailers in Oxford will be allowed to continue their operations even if the City's current retailer density exceeds the allocated limit. However, if an existing vape and tobacco retailer has paused operations for 60 or more days, they are ineligible to operate. Currently operating vape and tobacco retailers must obtain the TRL to remain compliant.
No, existing retailers are prohibited from moving or expanding their operations to new locations beyond their current location.
The program will be enforced through a combination of measures to ensure compliance. This includes conducting a minimum of two unannounced compliance checks per year at retail locations to verify adherence to program regulations. Retailers found in violation may face fines, and in severe cases of non-compliance, their TRL may be subject to revocation.
Yes, retailers who violate any provisions of the program or other federal, state, or local laws related to tobacco product sales may face penalties. These penalties may include fines and, in severe cases, the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products.
Licensees must ensure that their employees complete a training program on the legal requirements related to the sale of licensed products and the possible consequences of license violations. Your training should cover topics such as the illegality of selling tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age, acceptable forms of identification for age verification, and the potential penalties for non-compliance.
No new vape and tobacco shops can open in Oxford. Neither by any new nor existing business owner.
Yes, with limitations. Any business that ceases operations for 60 consecutive days (or more) may have their TRL revoked and/or be barred from applying for a new TRL.
Please reach out to Community Development, Inspector Ben Braeutigam, at bbraeutigam@cityofoxford.org or (513) 524-5299.