Hawaii Statewide Rule
Hawaii Tobacco 21 Law: Minimum Sales Age Rules
Key Facts
- Statewide minimum
- Statewide minimum sale age is 21 under HRS 712-1258.
- Hawaii enacted
- Hawaii enacted Tobacco 21 first in 2016 via Act 122.
- Restrictions
- Both sale and underage purchase are prohibited.
- Signage
- Required signage and ID verification at retail.
Summary
Hawaii was the first U.S. state to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 in 2016. HRS 712-1258 prohibits the sale, furnishing, or purchase of tobacco and electronic smoking devices by anyone under 21.
§712-1258 Tobacco products and electronic smoking devices; persons under twenty-one years of age. (1) It shall be unlawful to sell or furnish a tobacco product in any shape or form or an electronic smoking device to a person under twenty-one years of age. (2) All persons engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products or electronic smoking devices shall check the identification of tobacco product or electronic smoking device purchasers to establish the age of the purchaser if the purchaser reasonably appears to be under twenty-seven years of age.
Full Breakdown
Under HRS 712-1258, it is unlawful to sell or furnish tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid to any person under 21. The statute also makes it a violation for a person under 21 to purchase or possess such products. Retailers must post signage notifying customers of the age restriction and verify photo identification before any sale. Violations carry escalating fines: $500 for a first offense, $500 to $2,000 for subsequent offenses, plus mandatory community service for underage purchasers. The 2016 enactment via Act 122 made Hawaii the national leader on Tobacco 21 policy, predating the federal Tobacco 21 law of 2019.
Violations & Penalties
Sales to under-21 purchasers carry $500 to $2,000 fines under HRS 712-1258, plus community service for buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hawaii raise the tobacco age to 21?
Are vape products covered?
What are the penalties for underage purchase?
Sources
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