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Tobacco/Nicotine Prevention
Tobacco Retailers
Watch the Nitrous Oxide Community Information Session
A recording of the July 8 community information session on Sonoma County’s proposed nitrous oxide ordinance is now available. The session provides an overview of nitrous oxide-related health and safety concerns, the current legal landscape, why local action is being considered, and what the proposed ordinance would do, including exemptions for legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and professional uses.
Nitrous Oxide Sales
*IMPORTANT NOTICE*
June 16, 2026
Sonoma County is providing additional guidance and clarification regarding the retail sale of nitrous oxide products under existing California law. It discusses retail sales practices, factors that may be considered in determining whether a sale is lawful, and encourages retailers to review their inventory and business practices.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Sales: Letter to Retailers (PDF)
March 11, 2026
Kratom
**Important Notice to All Tobacco Retailers: Sale of Kratom Products Prohibited**
Kratom Notice Sent to Retailers (English) »
Sonoma County Kratom Fact Sheet (English)»
CDPH News Release: Kratom Products Illegal in California »
Aviso sobre el kratom enviado a establecimientos minoristas (Español)»
Hoja informativa sobre el kratom del Condado de Sonoma (Español)»
Tobacco Retail License
A local tobacco retail license is required to sell tobacco products in most jurisdictions in Sonoma County. Impact Sonoma of the Department of Health Services administers tobacco retail licenses for
- Unincorporated Sonoma County
- Petaluma
- Santa Rosa
- Windsor
In addition, a Tobacco Retail License is required in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and the City of Sonoma. Contact those cities directly with any questions about tobacco retail license eligibility and renewal. Currently, the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati and Rohnert Park do not require a Tobacco Retail License but have laws pertaining to the sale of tobacco products. Contact those City Planning Departments for specific requirements.
To confirm license eligibility, please contact Carley Moore, Tobacco Compliance & Enforcement at (707) 565-6680, or impact.sonoma@sonomacounty.gov for more information.
What Counts as a Tobacco Product (For Retailers)
This short video explains what counts as a tobacco product under California law, including vapes, accessories, and key exceptions.
¿Qué es un producto de tabaco?
Este video breve explica qué se considera un producto de tabaco bajo la ley de California, incluyendo vapeadores, accesorios y excepciones clave para minoristas.
See State, County & Local Regulations for information on the jurisdiction in which you plan to open your business
Healdsburg
Title 8 Health and Safety - Chapter 8.26 Tobacco Retailers
Petaluma
Overview of Petaluma Tobacco Retail License
Regulation of Retail Tobacco Sales Chapter 8.21
Rohnert Park
Title 8 Health and Safety - Prohibition of Head Shops, Hookah Bars, Tobacco Vending Machines and Self-Service Displays
Chapter 6-20 Regulation of Retail Tobacco Sales
Chapter 9-20 Smoking Regulations
Sebastopol
Title 8, Health & Safety, Chapter 8.06 Tobacco Retail Licensing
Windsor
TITLE III CHAPTER 11. - REGULATING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND PARAPHERNALIA
California Tobacco Retailing Laws
Tobacco Control Laws that affect California Retail Businesses 2022
Source: California Department of Public Health.
CDTFA Sales of Cigarettes and Tobacco Products in California, License Requirements for Retailers
Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
California Tobacco Control Branch: California Prohibits Retailers from Selling Flavored Tobacco Products
Source: California Department of Public Health.
Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
STAKE (Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement) Act is an important piece of legislation that specifies who retailers can sell tobacco to. In the state of California, it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years. Training videos are available for a better understanding of the Act, and how to implement and adhere to the rules in your retail environment.
Training: Responsible Beverage Service
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.
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