Smoke Free Air Act Exemption - Register a Tobacco Event

You need to register a tobacco promotion event with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). A tobacco promotion event is where people can sample and promote tobacco products. Food and drinks may also be served.

• Read the application: read the Application to Register a Tobacco Event (PDF) for all the steps and rules.

• Submit required documents: you need to send a copy of your Cigarette Retail Dealer License from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Learn more about the Tobacco Retail Dealer License.

• Retail dealer certificate: you need a copy of the Retail Dealer Certificate of Registration for Cigarettes and Tobacco Products from New York State for each seller at the event. Learn more about the Cigarette and Tobacco Product Sales as a Retail Dealer Registration.

• Certificate of appointment: you need a copy of the Certificate of Appointment of Distributor of Tobacco Products from New York State for each seller at the event. Learn more about the Wholesale Tobacco Products Dealer License.

• Valid email address: you need a valid email address if you apply online.

• Application fee: there is a $25 fee for each event.

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Check (payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; accepted only in person)
  • Money order (payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; accepted only in person)
  • American Express (accepted online only)
  • Discover (accepted online only)
  • Mastercard (accepted online only)
  • Visa (accepted online only)

• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will process your application.
• DOHMH may ask you for more information or documents.
• If you do not hear from DOHMH within 14 days, you should contact them.

Contact Information

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)

Address:
Bureau of Food Safety & Community Sanitation
125 Worth St., 10th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Phone:
212-676-1600

• Room requirements: The event must be in a room with solid walls, windows or partitions from floor to ceiling. It must follow all NYC Building Code and Fire Code rules.
• Windows and doors: Windows in the room must stay closed while people are smoking unless they open to the outside. Doors must stay closed except when people enter or leave.
• Ventilation: The room must have good ventilation to stop second-hand smoke from going into non-smoking rooms and areas.
• Event frequency: Only two tobacco promotion public events can happen in one building or place each year. See Public Health Law §1399-q (7).
• Food restrictions: You cannot prepare or serve "potentially hazardous food" in the enclosed room where the event is held. This includes food with milk, eggs, meat, fish, shellfish, edible crustacea, cooked potatoes, cooked rice, cooked pasta or other ingredients that can support harmful bacteria. See New York City Health Code §81.03 (ee).

• Review prerequisites: review the steps above and gather all needed documents.
• Make electronic versions of documents: make electronic copies of all needed documents. You will upload these into the online permit system. You can upload PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT files.
• Create an account: at least 14 days before the event, create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. You need to pay to complete the application, so have your credit or debit card ready. You can save your application and finish it later.
  • If you have an account, log in and use your password. You do not need a new account for each event. You can use the same account for new events.
• Register a tobacco event: select Register a Tobacco Event and fill in the required fields. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload the needed documents. You can upload them one by one or as one file.
• Pay the fee: pay with a credit or debit card to finish the application.

• Submit application and documents: at least 14 days before the event, submit the completed form, needed documents and check or money order for the fee. You can do this in person or by mail to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation.
  
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
  Bureau of Food Safety & Community Sanitation
  125 Worth St., 10th Floor
  New York, NY 10013
  Phone: 212-676-1600

• Processing and contact: the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will process the application and contact you. If you do not hear back in 14 days, contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in person or by phone.