Minnesota law sets the legal age to purchase tobacco, vape, and nicotine products at 21 under Minn. Stat. §609.685, and Saint Paul enforces this through its tobacco licensing chapter. ID is required for any buyer who appears under 30.
Minnesota's Tobacco 21 law, codified at Minn. Stat. §609.685 and §461.12, bars the sale of tobacco, electronic delivery devices, and nicotine products to anyone under 21. Saint Paul issues tobacco licenses through DSI under the city's licensing chapter and conducts compliance checks using under-age buyers. Retailers must check ID for any customer who appears under 30 and may not display product where minors can self-serve. Fines escalate for repeat violations and can result in license suspension or revocation. State law preempts cities from setting a different minimum age but allows stricter local enforcement and licensing terms.
Selling to under-21 buyers can lead to fines starting around $300 for a first offense, escalating to $1,000+ and license suspension or revocation by DSI for repeat violations.
See how Saint Paul's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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