Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and California Business and Professions Code section 22963 bar LA County retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product to anyone under 21. LA County DPH enforces in unincorporated areas with photo-ID checks.
Since December 2019, the federal Tobacco 21 amendment to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act has set the national minimum sales age at 21 for all tobacco and vape products. California codified the same age in Business and Professions Code section 22963 and STAKE Act enforcement. LA County retailers operating under LACO Title 11.04.260 must check government photo identification for any buyer who appears under 27 and cannot rely on military exemptions. The Department of Public Health and FDA conduct undercover decoy compliance checks across unincorporated areas; multiple violations can suspend or revoke the county Tobacco Retailer License. Cities enforce parallel rules.
Selling tobacco to a person under 21 is a misdemeanor under state STAKE Act enforcement and grounds for LACO Title 11.04.260 license suspension, with civil fines up to about six thousand dollars per repeat offense.
See how Santa Monica's tobacco age restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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