Notice of Federal Age Increase to 21

On December 20th, President Trump signed a $1.4 trillion spending package that included raising the legal purchase age of tobacco products from 18 to 21. The legislation is considered a “clean” tobacco 21 age raise that does not include other anti-tobacco provisions. PCA previously reported on 5 bills considered in Congress that would include a raise in the age of purchase for tobacco products.

The law also requires retailers to I.D. check persons under the age of 30, which was raised from 27. Typically, laws such as this require the agency of jurisdiction (FDA in this case) to release regulations within 180 days of the laws enactment and make changes within 90 days. Although a regulation has not been formally released, the FDA announced that sales of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21 would go into effect immediately on their website and social media accounts. The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) will be actively involved in the regulatory process and will advocate to provide clarification on enforcement and technical guidance for these changes. The PCA recommends ceasing tobacco sales to persons under 21 immediately as per the statement by the Food & Drug Administration.

If you have specific questions, please contact Joshua Habursky, Director of Federal Affairs, at (814) 881-1618 or joshua@premiumcigars.org

KEY CHANGES:

  • Age of Sale of Tobacco Products from 18 to 21
  • I.D Checks for Tobacco Products Purchases from 27 to 30
  • Sales Change is Effective Immediately
  • Military Exemption was not federally adopted
  • Applied to Premium Cigars & Pipe Tobago among other tobacco products

Follow the link below for an example notice that can be posted in retailer stores following these recent changes.