St. Louis, MO Tobacco & Vaping: Tobacco Age Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum age
- 21 years
- Statute
- Mo. §407.926 (2024)
- ID required if
- Buyer appears under 30
- Federal alignment
- Tobacco 21 (federal)
Summary
Missouri Mo. §407.926 (effective 2024) raised the minimum tobacco and vape purchase age to 21 statewide, aligning with federal Tobacco 21. St. Louis enforces this through retailer compliance checks.
407.926. No tobacco sales to minors — penalties — alternative nicotine products and vapor products, sale to minors prohibited — nicotine liquid containers, requirements, penalty. — 1. Any person or entity who sells tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products shall deny the sale of such tobacco products to any person who is less than eighteen years of age. 2. Any person or entity who sells or distributes tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products by mail or through the internet in this state in violation of subsection 1 of this section shall be assessed a fine of two hundred fifty dollars for the first violation and five hundred dollars for each subsequent violation. 3. Alternative nicotine products and vapor products shall only be sold to persons eighteen years of age or older, shall be subject to local and state sales tax, but shall not be otherwise taxed or regulated as tobacco products.
Full Breakdown
Missouri raised the minimum legal sales age for tobacco, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products to 21 under Mo. §407.926, taking effect August 28, 2024, aligning state law with the federal Tobacco 21 law (21 U.S.C. §387f). Missouri retailers must verify ID for any purchaser appearing under 30 and may not sell to anyone under 21. The St. Louis Department of Health partners with Missouri DHSS on retailer education and compliance checks. Penalties scale from warnings to license suspension for repeat sales to minors. The city does not have additional local licensing distinct from state requirements at this time.
Violations & Fines
Selling tobacco or vape products to anyone under 21 results in fines under state law, retailer warnings, and possible permit action for repeated violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Missouri's age 21 tobacco law take effect?
Are vape pens covered by the age 21 rule?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Mo. §407.926
Other rules in St. Louis
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