Michigan Public Act 2019-1, codified at MCL Section 722.642, sets the minimum age to purchase tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products at 21 statewide, preempting separate Grand Rapids age-of-sale ordinances.
After federal Tobacco 21 took effect in 2019, Michigan amended the Youth Tobacco Act to align its minimum sales age. Retailers in Grand Rapids must verify identification for any buyer who appears under 30 and may not sell cigarettes, cigars, smokeless, vapor, or alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. The state retains exclusive authority over age-of-sale rules, so Grand Rapids cannot raise the floor or carve local exceptions, though the city still inspects retailers and refers violations to state enforcement.
Selling to underage buyers is a state misdemeanor with escalating fines, possible license action against the retailer, and reportable to the Michigan Department of Treasury Tobacco Tax program.
See how Grand Rapids's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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