Federal tobacco purchase age raised to 21
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - A sign at Dollar General in North Manheim Township notifies customers of a change in FDA regulations regarding tobacco sales.
Sentinel Staff Reports | [email protected]
CRESSONA – You may have noticed the signs at various retail establishments over the past few weeks — for young adults under the age of 21, no more purchasing tobacco products.
An amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was signed on Dec. 20 to raise the buying age from 18 to 21.
“It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product – including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes – to anyone under the age of 21 years,” the FDA tweeted on Dec. 21.
Pennsylvania was already set to raise the state’s minimum buying age to 21 this coming July, after legislation was passed in November. Last May, Rite Aid, which has locations in four northern Schuylkill communities, raised their own minimum to 21.
Saturday evening, a sign at the registers at Dollar General at the Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township notified customers of the change.
The bill includes a provision that gives the FDA “not more than 180 days” to enact the regulations.
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