To Buy Cigarettes | How Old
The legal age to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products depends on your location, but most regions have significantly increased these requirements in recent years.
: Retailers are prohibited from using vending machines in any facility where individuals under 21 are permitted to enter. International Purchase Ages how old to buy cigarettes
: There are no federal carve-outs for active-duty military personnel or veterans; they must also be 21 to purchase tobacco. The legal age to buy cigarettes and other
: As of September 30, 2024, retailers must check a photo ID for anyone under the age of 30 attempting to purchase tobacco. : As of September 30, 2024, retailers must
As of , the federal minimum age for the sale of all tobacco products—including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes (vapes), and smokeless tobacco—is 21 years old . This legislation, known as "Tobacco 21," applies to every state and territory in the U.S. without exception.
While 18 is the most common age globally, a growing number of countries have raised the limit to 21. Tobacco 21 - FDA