Missouri raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21 effective August 28, 2024, under Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.926. Kansas City retailers must verify ID for buyers under 30 and post age-restriction signage at points of sale.
Missouri Senate Bill 754 (2024) amended Mo. Rev. Stat. 407.926 to raise the minimum age to purchase or possess tobacco and alternative nicotine and vapor products from 18 to 21, aligning Missouri with federal Tobacco 21 law (PL 116-94, December 2019). Kansas City does not impose a stricter age. Retailers must ask for identification from any apparent buyer under 30, post conspicuous Tobacco 21 signage, and deny sales to anyone under 21 even if they appear to be buying for an older adult. Vending machine sales are restricted to age-controlled premises. Federal Synar inspections supplement state and local enforcement.
Selling tobacco or vapor products to anyone under 21 can result in state penalties up to $25 first offense and $100 subsequent offenses, plus federal FDA civil penalties starting at $300 per violation.
See how Kansas City's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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