California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard applies uniformly across all California jurisdictions.
California became the second state to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 with SBX2-7 (2016), amending Business and Professions Code 22958 and related STAKE Act provisions. The law prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or vape devices to anyone under 21, with limited exemptions for active military members aged 18-20 in some statutes (later largely closed). Retailers must verify ID for buyers appearing under 21. The age requirement is statewide and uniform; local governments cannot lower it. Federal Tobacco 21 (2019) reinforces this standard nationally.
Selling to underage buyers triggers STAKE Act penalties starting at $400-$600 for first violations, up to $6,000 and license revocation for repeat offenses.
See how San Diego's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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