Reminder: Beginning September 30, Certain Tobacco Age-of-Sale Requirements Go Into Effect

From the Food & Drug Administration: “Beginning Sept. 30, retailers must verify with photo identification the age of anyone under the age of 30 who is trying to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Previously, this requirement applied to anyone under the age of 27. Additionally, starting Sept. 30, retailers may not sell tobacco products via vending machines in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter at any time. Previously, this prohibition applied to facilities where individuals under 18 were present or permitted to enter at any time. These new requirements were announced on Aug. 29 as part of the final rule raising the minimum age for certain restrictions on tobacco product sales. These requirements are in line with legislation signed in December 2019, which immediately raised the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products in the United States from 18 to 21. To help retailers comply with the new rule, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has developed a factsheet on these new requirements and FDA resources available to assist retailers in calculating the age of customers. The factsheet is now available on the FDA website.” View the Tobacco 21 Factsheet as a PDF via the Food & Drug Administration website.

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