Minn. Stat. 609.685 prohibits selling tobacco, vape, and nicotine products to anyone under 21, with statewide retailer ID checks; Hennepin County cities license retailers and run compliance checks.
Minnesota raised its tobacco and nicotine sales age to 21 effective 2020 under Minn. Stat. 609.685. The law applies to cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, vape devices, and synthetic nicotine. Hennepin County and its cities license tobacco retailers and conduct compliance checks using underage purchasers. Minneapolis and several suburbs have adopted stricter local rules, including price floors, flavor restrictions, and pharmacy sales bans. State law preempts local ages, so a city cannot raise the age to 22 but can adopt tougher product or pharmacy rules.
Selling to under-21 buyers triggers fines escalating with repeat violations, license suspension, and criminal penalties for clerks under Minn. Stat. 609.685.
See how Bloomington's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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