New York prohibits the sale of tobacco, vapor, and liquid nicotine products to anyone under age 21 statewide under Public Health Law § 1399-cc, with no opt-out by localities.
Effective November 13, 2019, Public Health Law § 1399-cc raised the minimum sales age for cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, herbal cigarettes, rolling papers, vapor products, and liquid nicotine to 21. Retailers must verify age with photo identification for any buyer who appears under 25. The Department of Health and local health departments enforce through compliance checks, and a positive sale to a minor leads to escalating fines and potential suspension of the tobacco registration. The age applies regardless of military status.
First violations bring a fine up to $1,000 and the second within three years up to $2,500, plus a possible suspension of the tobacco retail registration.
See how New York's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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