Federal Tobacco 21 law, New York Public Health Law section 1399-cc, and NYC Administrative Code section 17-706.1 all bar selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product to anyone under 21. Retailers must verify ID for everyone appearing under 30.
Since the 2019 federal Tobacco 21 amendment to 21 USC section 387f, plus New York State's 2019 update to Public Health Law section 1399-cc, the legal age to purchase any tobacco or electronic cigarette product is 21 statewide. NYC Administrative Code section 17-706.1 mirrors and predates state law and adds DCWP enforcement, mandatory ID checks for buyers under 30, and license consequences for stores that fail compliance checks. The rule covers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah, e-liquids, and synthetic-nicotine products. Sample distribution and self-service displays are also banned. Possession by minors is not penalized; only retailers face fines.
Selling tobacco or e-cigarettes to a buyer under 21 is a $1,000 fine for a first offense and up to $2,000 plus license suspension under Admin Code section 17-176; repeat violations within three years can permanently revoke the retail license.
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