FDA officially raises tobacco buying age to 21

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially raised the legal age to buy tobacco products in the United States from 18 to 21.

The move applies to all tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping cartridges, and comes after President Trump last week signed a $1.4 trillion spending package that included a measure raising the tobacco-buying age.

Initially, it was unclear when the age change would take effect. The FDA had six months to amend their policies after Trump signed the bill into law and then 90 days to put the change in place.

However, the FDA said in a message posted on its website that the change is now in effect.

“It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product – including cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes – to anyone under 21,” the website says. The FDA website says it was updated on Dec. 20, the day Trump signed the legislation. Nineteen states and D.C. had already raised the minimum purchasing age to 21 before the federal legislation.

The federal measure had bipartisan support and was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).