In its traditional form, a tobacco shop offers items such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, rolling tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff.

Many tobacco shops also carry smoking accessories including lighters, ashtrays, cigar cutters, humidors, pipes, rolling papers, and Tobacco Shop filters. Some shops integrate tasting rooms or lounges where customers can smoke cigars on-site, particularly in regions where such smoking areas are legally permitted.

Modern tobacco shops have evolved to serve changing consumer behavior and regulations. In many places, contemporary smoke shops also sell electronic nicotine devices such as vapes, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. Others may carry hookah products and shisha for waterpipe smoking. In jurisdictions where legal, a tobacco shop may also sell herbal smoking blends or cannabidiol (CBD) products; however, these are often regulated under separate licensing.

A defining characteristic of tobacco shops is **age-restricted access**. Because tobacco products are controlled substances in most countries, consumers typically must present valid identification to verify that they meet the legal purchase age, which ranges from 18 to 21 depending on the region. Shops must also comply with strict regulatory standards governing labeling, health warnings, advertising, and display practices. For example, in many countries tobacco displays cannot be visible from outside the store, and marketing placements are tightly restricted.

The role of a tobacconist historically included product expertise: recommending blends, explaining cigar origins, and advising customers on storage and use. In traditional cigar shops, staff may help customers select cigars based on taste profile, strength, construction, and occasion.