Federal Tobacco Sales Law (FDA)

Federal Minimum Age of Sale
of Tobacco Products is 21.

On Dec. 20, 2019, the President Trump signed legislation amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products to 21 years.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the law prevents:

• Tobacco sales to those under the age of 21
• Tobacco vending machine sales
• Sales of packages of fewer than 20 cigarettes
• Tobacco sponsorships of sports, entertainment, or social events
• Giving sample cigarettes and brand-name non-tobacco promotional items
*except in adult-only facilities

The law also…

• Requires smokeless tobacco product warning labels
• Ensure that claims about reduced health risk are supported
with research evidence
• Requires listing of ingredients in tobacco products
• Preserves State, Local, and Tribal authority