Detroit Lakes, Minn. Moves to Increase Tobacco Purchasing Age to 21

Detroit Lakes, Minn. is set to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco from 18- to 21-years-old.

Earlier this week, the Detroit Lakes City Council unanimously approved a proposal that would increase the minimum age to 21. The city has tried a similar measure in 2017 but it failed. A second reading is scheduled for April 14.

The difference now is that Detroit Lakes is now just preempting a federal law, which will increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 nationwide.

On Dec. 21, 2019, President Trump signed H.R. 1865, a $1.4 trillion spending bill that also increased the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that upon signing that the new law went into effect immediately. It is halfwheel’s understanding that while the law might have changed, FDA likely lacks the authority to enforce the 21-years-old minimum age standard until after a few procedural steps, which likely would be completed by the end of 2020. However, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) have advised their retail members to comply with the increase to 21 as a precautionary measure.

FDA has stated that it is not yet enforcing the 21-years-old standard through its compliance checks program.

Detroit Lakes is located approximately 215 miles northwest of Minneapolis and has a population of 9,165 residents.