You may’ve noticed some brand new signs around town regarding the purchase of tobacco products – the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has officially changed the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21.
Prior to this change, the minimum age to buy tobacco products in Alabama was 19.
The new law applies to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
The age increase came as part of the new $1.4 trillion budget signed by President Trump on December 20th.
Usually new legislation doesn’t take effect right away however the change simply increased the age limit in the existing law, so it was able to go into effect immediately – according to a spokesman for the Food & Drug Administration.
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, P.O. Box 303017, Montgomery, AL 36130-3017
(334) 206-5300 • FAX (334) 206-5520 Web Site: alabamapublichealth.gov
NEWS RELEASE
Federal law raises minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Scott Harris, M.D., M.P.H., Alabama Department of Public Health
(334) 206-5200
On December 20, 2019, President Donald Trump signed legislation to raise the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. It is now illegal for retailers to sell any tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21. Prior to this change, the minimum age to buy tobacco products in Alabama was 19.
Retailers with questions about the new requirements can contact the Center for Tobacco Products Office of Small Business Assistance at 1-877-287-1373, or via email at smallbiz.tobacco@fda.hhs.gov, for help. Further resources on regulations surrounding the retail sale of tobacco products can be found at https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/compliance-enforcement-training/retail-sales-tobacco-products.
Alabama Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said he supports the increase in the buying age. “Most people who smoke start before they turn 21, and adolescent brains are especially susceptible to nicotine addiction,” he said. “We hope this change will help reduce the habit, since tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States.”
Smoking kills more than 8,600 adults in Alabama each year. Annually, the state spends more than $1.88 billion in health care costs directly caused by smoking.