US raises minimum age to buy cigarettes from under 27 to under 30

MARYLAND, 29th August, 2024 (WAM) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Thursday it has raised the minimum age for photo identification verification to buy tobacco products to under 30 years from under 27, Reuters reported.

Tobacco retailers would need to verify the age for anyone under 30, and they may not sell these products via vending machine in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter, the FDA said.

The health regulator in 2019 had raised the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 years from 18 years previously.