Fargo Proposes New Tobacco and Nicotine Ordinance

Ordinance aims to reduce youth access to vaping products through new sales licenses, retailer education, and limiting number of retailers.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Fargo Cass Public Health Board of Health has proposed a new ordinance that would impact the sale of tobacco and nicotine products in the city. The changes include a new sales license through the City of Fargo, required retailer education, and a reduced number of licenses, in addition to continued compliance checks. The goal is to reduce youth access to vaping products, which has become an increasing problem in local schools.

Why it matters

Vaping has become a significant issue in Fargo public schools, causing disruptions to the learning environment and impacting student health and safety. This new ordinance aims to address the growing problem of youth vaping by making it more difficult for minors to access these products.

The details

The proposed ordinance would require businesses selling tobacco and nicotine products to obtain a new $15 sales license through the City of Fargo, along with a $1,000 surety bond. Retailers would also be required to undergo training similar to that provided to alcohol servers, at no cost. Additionally, the number of licensed retailers in Fargo would be reduced from the current 144 to 65, with existing license holders being grandfathered in.

  • The Fargo Cass Public Health Board of Health proposed the new ordinance on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Fargo Cass Public Health Board of Health

The local public health authority that proposed the new tobacco and nicotine ordinance.

Cory Steiner

Fargo Public Schools Superintendent, who says vaping has become an increased problem in public schools and something needs to be done.

Andrea Hueseth Zozel

A parent who spoke at the Friday meeting, stating that her daughter no longer uses the restrooms at Fargo North due to the amount of vaping happening there.

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What they’re saying

“It's not an abstract issue for us, it's something we confront daily in our schools and it is affecting student health, safety, and academic success.”

— Cory Steiner, Fargo Public Schools Superintendent (kfgo.com)

“As a parent, I have heard from my own children about the use of these products in school where vaping has become normalized, maybe even more than normalized if that's possible. It's easily accessible and impacts student health and learning.”

— Andrea Hueseth Zozel, Parent (kfgo.com)

What’s next

The proposed ordinance will now go through the City of Fargo's legislative process, including public hearings, before a final vote by the City Commission.

The takeaway

This new ordinance is a proactive step by Fargo officials to address the growing problem of youth vaping, which has become a significant disruption in local schools. By limiting access to these products and requiring retailer education, the city hopes to protect the health and safety of its students.