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Frequently Asked Questions: Vending Machines Selling Tobacco or E-Cigarettes
Businesses are responsible for knowing and complying with current regulations that affect their business, including prohibitions on where vending machines may be located. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about selling cigarettes, other tobacco products, and/or e-cigarettes from a vending machine in NYC.
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Do I need a DCWP license to operate a vending machine that sells only cigarettes and no other tobacco products?
You do not need a DCWP Tobacco Retail Dealer license to operate a vending machine in NYC that sells only cigarettes and no other tobacco products.
Tobacco products other than cigarettes include cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, snus, bidi, snuff, shisha, nicotine pouches with tobacco-derived nicotine, or dissolvable tobacco products.
However, you must have a Wholesale Dealer in Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products license from the NYC Department of Finance.
Do I need a DCWP license to operate a vending machine that sells tobacco products other than cigarettes?
Yes, you must have a DCWP Tobacco Retail Dealer license to operate a vending machine in NYC that sells tobacco products other than cigarettes.
Tobacco products other than cigarettes, include cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, snus, bidi, snuff, shisha, nicotine pouches (exception: synthetic or non-tobacco nicotine pouches), or dissolvable tobacco products.
Do I need a DCWP license to operate a vending machine that sells e-cigarettes?
Yes, you must have a DCWP Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license to operate a vending machine in NYC that sells electronic cigarettes.
An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that delivers vapor for inhaling by heating a liquid, gel, herb, or other substance, regardless of whether it contains nicotine. Any component part, such as a cartridge or refill, is considered to be an electronic cigarette.
Do I need a DCWP license to operate a vending machine that sells only non-tobacco or synthetic nicotine pouches?
You do not need a DCWP Tobacco Retail Dealer or Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license to sell non-tobacco or synthetic nicotine pouches.
Important: New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. This includes, but is not limited to, NY Public Health Law § 1399-DD, NYC Admin. Code § 17-177, and bans on flavored tobacco products and on selling tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and smoking paraphernalia to people under 21.
Download Inspection Checklists for Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealers and Tobacco Retail Dealers.
07/2026