You must be 21 years old to buy tobacco products in all 50 states of the United States, as well as the District of Columbia.
Federal Law Mandates Age 21 for Tobacco Sales
In December 2019, federal law was amended to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old across the entire United States. This legislation, commonly referred to as "Tobacco21," applies to all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vaping products.
Before this federal change, some states had already raised their minimum age to 21 for tobacco sales. However, the federal mandate made this age requirement universal. States are required to comply with this federal standard.
Here's a quick look at the federal standard for tobacco sales:
| Governing Authority | Minimum Age to Purchase Tobacco |
|---|---|
| Federal Law (U.S. MLSA) | 21 |
This federal minimum legal sales age (MLSA) of 21 means that regardless of specific state laws, no one under the age of 21 can legally purchase tobacco products anywhere in the United States. While individual states may have their own laws aligning with or reinforcing this federal age, the overarching federal requirement ensures uniformity nationwide.
For more detailed information on specific state regulations, you can refer to resources like the Smoking Age by State 2024 provided by World Population Review.
