Pennsylvania Act 112 of 2019 raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes to 21, aligning with the federal Tobacco 21 law (Dec 2019). The state law covers all tobacco products including vapes, hookah, and nicotine pouches. Cities cannot lower the age, and flavored vape regulation is handled at the state retail license level.
Act 112 of 2019 (72 P.S. §215-A et seq.), signed November 2019 and effective July 2020, raised Pennsylvania's minimum age for the sale and possession of tobacco products to 21. The state law operates alongside the federal Tobacco 21 law signed December 2019, which provides a nationwide floor. The PA law covers cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vape devices, e-liquids, hookah, and any product containing nicotine. Retailers must hold a Cigarette Dealer's License from the PA Department of Revenue under 72 P.S. §202-A and an Electronic Cigarette Retailer License from the Department of Revenue. Active-duty military personnel who were 18 or older on July 1, 2020 are grandfathered. Pennsylvania has not enacted a statewide flavored tobacco ban — flavor restrictions are handled through the state retail licensing scheme. Cities cannot lower the minimum age below 21 but generally cannot impose stricter retail rules beyond the state license either.
Selling tobacco to a person under 21 carries fines under 18 Pa.C.S. §6305: $100–$500 first offense, $250–$1,000 second offense, and up to $1,500 plus license suspension for third and subsequent offenses within 12 months. Furnishing tobacco to a minor is a summary offense. License revocation possible for repeat violators. Failure to post age-of-sale signage is a separate $100 fine.
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See how Reading's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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