On December 20th, 2019, former president Donald Trump signed into legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and raise the federal minimum age for tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years of age. This made it illegal for retailers to sell any tobacco products to anyone under 21 years of age.
This federal law applies to all retailers in the U.S., including states, U.S. territories, and Tribal jurisdictions. This law also includes all purchasers in the U.S., meaning that there is no one that is “grandfathered in” such as 18 to 20 year old’s and those who serve in the military.
However, although this law has been changed federally, Wisconsin has not updated its existing State Statute 254.92 to raise the legal age of purchase to 21 years. This can cause confusion amongst retailors, but the federal law is clear 21 means 21 no matter what. Wisconsin retailers play a huge role in making sure that both employees and customers follow the federal law. Retailers can set themselves up for success by checking ID’s every sale and ensuring that they are only selling to those 21 or older. Learn more about the change at https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/tobacco/tobacco21.htm
Most Wisconsin tobacco retailers do a great job not selling tobacco products to those under 21. We know our retailers want to do what is right and keep the next generation free from addiction. Wisconsin Wins is proud to offer all retailers free training opportunities that help support businesses, and employees to do the right thing via WITobaccocheck.org.
All tobacco retailers by law must train their employees and you can do it for free at WITobaccocheck.org.
Wisconsin Wins: Trained Employees, Tobacco-Free Kids.
Learn more about the important work being done across Wisconsin at www.wiwins.org.