Starting September 30, more people will have to present a photo ID to buy any tobacco product. Photo credit: Cory Doctorow, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a final rule that raises the minimum age for certain tobacco product sales restrictions.
Starting September 30, retailers must check photo identification for anyone under 30 attempting to buy tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Previously, this requirement applied to individuals under 27. Additionally, from September 30, retailers are prohibited from selling tobacco products through vending machines in any facility where individuals under 21 are allowed. This rule previously applied to locations where individuals under 18 were permitted. These updates are designed to enhance the public health impact of the December 2019 legislation.
These updated requirements align with the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act signed in December 2019, which immediately increased the federal minimum age for purchasing tobacco products in the US from 18 to 21. The new regulations aim to reduce underage tobacco sales. FDA said it is important for retailers to request and examine photo IDs to verify age from anyone under 30, regardless of appearance, as research has shown that it is difficult for retailers to accurately determine the age of a customer from appearance alone.