Columbia city leaders exploring tobacco retail license for businesses

Businesses may soon be required to have a license to sell tobacco products in Columbia.

The city’s Board of Health discussed the idea at Thursday night’s meeting. Missouri is one of 10 states that doesn’t have state regulations for tobacco sales, only federal. Jefferson City and Kansas City both require a tobacco retail license.

Dr. Kevin Everett, an associate professor at the University of Missouri, presented to board members how he believes a licensing ordinance would help decrease youth tobacco use in Columbia.

The tobacco retail license is similar to an alcohol license. Stores must renew the license annually to continue to sell tobacco products and those caught selling to underage buyers would face fines.

Dr. Everett said the goal of the licensing requirement is to make Tobacco 21 a better ordinance in the Columbia community.

City council passed Tobacco 21 in 2014, which raised the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21.

Board members asked Dr. Everett for more information on how other cities in Missouri operate a tobacco retail license. They will discuss the issue at their next meeting in August.

The board will also hold a public hearing in September.