South Carolina raised the legal age for tobacco and vape sales to 21 under SC §16-17-501. Charleston retailers must verify ID under age 30; sales to under-21 carry state criminal penalties and retailer license risk.
Following federal Tobacco 21 in 2019 and a state conforming amendment, South Carolina §16-17-501 prohibits sale, gift, or furnishing of tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products to persons under 21. Charleston retailers must check identification for any buyer who appears under 30. SCDOR (Department of Revenue) administers retailer cigarette and tobacco licenses and may suspend licenses for repeat sales to underage customers. Charleston Police conduct compliance checks alongside SCDHEC tobacco programs and federal FDA undercover buys.
Selling tobacco or vapor products to a person under 21 is a misdemeanor under SC §16-17-501, with escalating fines and possible retailer license suspension by SCDOR.
Charleston, SC
Vape and e-cigarette retailers in Charleston operate under standard SCDOR tobacco licensing with the SC §16-17-501 age-21 floor. Charleston imposes no buffer...
Charleston, SC
Neither South Carolina nor Charleston restricts the sale of flavored tobacco, menthol cigarettes, or flavored vape products beyond federal FDA authorization ...
See how Charleston's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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