Burlington, VT Tobacco & Vaping: Tobacco Age Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum age
- 21 years
- Statute
- 7 V.S.A. Section 1003
- Effective
- September 1, 2019
- ID required
- Government photo ID
- Enforcer
- VT Liquor and Lottery
Summary
Vermont raised the legal age to purchase tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and tobacco substitutes to 21 under 7 V.S.A. Section 1003. Burlington retailers must verify age with photo identification before any sale.
§ 1003. Sale of tobacco products; tobacco substitutes; tobacco paraphernalia; requirements; prohibitions
(a) A person shall not sell or provide tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, or tobacco paraphernalia to any person under 21 years of age.
(b) All vending machines selling tobacco products are prohibited. (c)(1) Persons holding a tobacco license may only display or store tobacco products or tobacco substitutes:
(A) behind a sales counter or in any other area of the establishment that is inaccessible to the public; or
(B) in a locked container.
(2) This subsection shall not apply to the following:
(A) a display of tobacco products that is located in a commercial establishment in which by law no person under 21 years of age is permitted to enter at any time;
(B) cigarettes in unopened cartons and smokeless tobacco in unopened multipack containers of 10 or more packages, any of which shall be displayed in plain view and under the control of a responsible employee so that removal of the cartons or multipacks from the display can be readily observed by that employee; or
(C) cigars and pipe tobacco stored in a humidor on the sales counter in plain view and under the control of a responsible employee so that the removal of these products from the humidor can be readily observed by that employee.
(d) The sale and the purchase of bidis is prohibited. A person who holds a tobacco license who sells bidis as prohibited by this subsection shall be fined not more than $500.00. A person who purchases bidis from any source shall be fined not more than $250.00.
(e) No person holding a tobacco license shall sell cigarettes or little cigars individually or in packs that contain fewer than 20 cigarettes or little cigars.
Full Breakdown
Effective September 1, 2019, Vermont's Tobacco 21 law in 7 V.S.A. Section 1003 prohibits the sale of tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, and electronic cigarettes to anyone under 21. Burlington retailers including convenience stores, gas stations, and dedicated vape shops must check government-issued photo identification for any customer who appears under 30. Both face-to-face and remote sales are covered. The state Department of Liquor and Lottery enforces compliance through routine inspections and undercover compliance checks. Penalties include fines, license suspension, and revocation for repeat offenses.
Violations & Fines
Selling tobacco or vaping products to a customer under 21 results in fines, license suspension, and possible permanent revocation of the retailer's tobacco license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are e-cigarettes covered too?
Are military members under 21 exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burlington
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