On October 24, 2024, the Newark City Council adopted Ordinance No. 552, a Tobacco Retailer License (TRL) ordinance that must be followed by all tobacco retailers in the City starting March 1, 2025. The Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance will (1) require every tobacco retailer in the City of Newark to obtain and maintain a valid City tobacco retailer license and (2) require all Newark tobacco retailers to follow new requirements on the sale of tobacco products. Ordinance No. 552 establishes the following tobacco retail requirements, which all tobacco retailers in the City of Newark must comply with starting March 1, 2025: 

• The sale of all flavored tobacco products is prohibited, with no exceptions. 

• The sale of Cigar Products (including, but not limited to, cigars, cigarillos, little cigars, blunts, blunt wraps, and cigar wraps) is prohibited in package sizes less than five (5) and priced under eight dollars ($8), including all applicable taxes and fees. Single cigars may be sold only if priced above five dollars ($5), including all applicable taxes and fees.  

• The honoring or redemption of tobacco product discounts and coupons is prohibited.  

• The sale of tobacco products in pharmacies is prohibited. 

• TRLs will not be issued to new tobacco retailers located within 1,000 feet of youth-sensitive locations (public parks, child day care facilities, or schools) or 1,000 feet of existing tobacco retailers.  

Please note that this list is not comprehensive. To review the city's comprehensive tobacco retail licensing requirements, please refer to Chapter 5.42 of the Newark Municipal Code.

• Click here to apply for a Tobacco Retail License.
• Click here to read the Notice for Retailers.
• Click here for the Newark TRL Frequently Asked Questions.

For questions, contact Oscar Carrillo, Community Preservation Manager, at 510-578-4242 or oscar.carrillo@newark.org.