South Carolina Tobacco 21 Minimum Age Sales Law

Section 16-17-501 of the South Carolina Code, as amended to align with federal Tobacco 21, makes it unlawful to sell, give, or otherwise furnish tobacco products, vapor products, or alternative nicotine products to persons under 21. Retailers must request photo identification from buyers who appear under 27. Vending machines and self-service displays are restricted in locations accessible to minors. Enforcement is shared by the South Carolina Department of Revenue and local law enforcement, with civil penalties for retailers and limited penalties for individual minors who possess.

Retailer fines start at one hundred dollars and increase up to five hundred dollars for repeat offenses, with potential license actions.