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Madison, WI Tobacco & Vaping: Tobacco Age Restrictions (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Minimum age
21 (Tobacco 21)
Statute
Wis. Stat. §134.66
First-offense fine
$500 + suspension
Compliance checks
PHMDC + Synar

Summary

Madison enforces Tobacco 21 under Wis. Stat. §134.66 as amended to match the federal minimum age, prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products to anyone under 21 inside city limits.

134.66 Restrictions on sale or gift of cigarettes or nicotine or tobacco products. [...] (2) Restrictions. (a) No retailer, direct marketer, manufacturer, distributor, jobber or subjobber, no agent, employee or independent contractor of a retailer, direct marketer, manufacturer, distributor, jobber or subjobber and no agent or employee of an independent contractor may sell or provide for nominal or no consideration cigarettes, nicotine products, or tobacco products to any person under the age of 18, except as provided in s. 254.92 (2) (a). A vending machine operator is not liable under this paragraph for the purchase of cigarettes, nicotine products, or tobacco products from his or her vending machine by a person under the age of 18 if the vending machine operator was unaware of the purchase. (am) No retailer, direct marketer, manufacturer, distributor, jobber, subjobber, no agent, employee or independent contractor of a retailer, direct marketer, manufacturer, distributor, jobber or subjobber and no agent or employee of an independent contractor may provide for nominal or no consideration cigarettes, nicotine products, or tobacco products to any person except in a place where no person younger than 18 years of age is present or permitted to enter unless the person who is younger than 18 years of age is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian or by his or her spouse who has attained the age of 18 years. [...] (5) Local ordinance. A county, town, village, or city may adopt an ordinance regulating the conduct regulated by this section only if it strictly conforms to this section. A county ordinance adopted under this subsection does not apply within any town, village, or city that has adopted or adopts an ordinance under this subsection.

Source: Wis. Stat. §134.66View official code

Full Breakdown

Wisconsin amended §134.66 to align with the federal Tobacco 21 law passed in late 2019, raising the minimum sales age from 18 to 21 statewide. Madison retailers must verify age via photo ID for any buyer who appears under 30 and post Tobacco 21 signage at points of sale. PHMDC conducts compliance check inspections funded through Wisconsin's Synar program, sending underage decoys to test retailers. First-offense citations run $500 plus license suspension, escalating with repeat violations. Active-duty military exemptions that previously existed under §139.345 have been narrowed to align with federal law. Online and vending sales face additional age-verification rules.

Violations & Fines

Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21 in Madison results in retailer fines starting at $500, license suspension, and possible permanent revocation for repeat offenders under Wis. Stat. §134.66.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Madison vape and tobacco minimum age really 21?
Yes. Wisconsin §134.66 was amended after the federal Tobacco 21 law took effect in December 2019. Retailers must card anyone appearing under 30.
Are there military exceptions?
No. The previous §139.345 active-duty exception was narrowed to comply with federal law. All buyers in Madison must be 21 regardless of military status.

Sources & Official References

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