Indiana set the legal tobacco and vape purchase age at 21 in 2020 under IC 7.1-5-7-2, conforming with federal Tobacco 21 law. Indianapolis follows the state rule and cannot raise the age further; retailers face license sanctions for sales to under-21 buyers.
Indiana Code 7.1-5-7-2 makes it unlawful to sell, give, or furnish tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or e-liquid to a person under 21. This aligned Indiana with the December 2019 federal Tobacco 21 law signed by President Trump. Marion County retailers must check ID for any buyer who appears under 30. The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission conducts compliance checks; failed sales draw fines starting at $200 for clerks and escalating retailer license suspensions. Vape products and synthetic-nicotine items are explicitly covered. Indianapolis cannot adopt a higher local minimum age because IC 7.1-5-7 preempts local age regulation, and proposals for Tobacco 25 have stalled.
Sales to buyers under 21 trigger fines starting at $200 for clerks and up to $1,000 for retailers, with escalating penalties including license suspension or revocation through the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
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See how Indianapolis's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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