Our role in local Tobacco 21 programs

Our agency works closely with community officials, residents and business owners throughout the permitting process. Ordinances passed by the communities require each business that sells or distributes tobacco or tobacco-related products to the public to be locally permitted. They are also required to post the appropriate signage at or near the tobacco sales transaction point.

CCBH staff conduct routine site inspections to ensure that these requirements are being met. We also continue to respond to any complaints filed regarding the sale of tobacco products to underage buyers. Periodic random unannounced compliance checks are also conducted, which include a CCBH-controlled attempted purchase of tobacco products by an underage customer. Violations result in a tiered enforcement process, which includes written warnings, monetary civil penalties and ultimately the potential revocation of the seller’s permit.

A growing number of communities throughout Ohio and here in Cuyahoga County have chosen to move forward with local ordinances that support legislative changes at the state level prohibiting the sale of tobacco, tobacco-related products and alternative delivery devices to anyone under the age of 21.