Indiana Senate Passes Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase

Indiana’s Senate has passed a bill that would increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco and products from 18 to 21-years-old.

S.B. 1 also triples the fines retailers would face for being caught in violation of the law:

• First Offense: $180
• Second Offense Within 180 Days: $1,200
• Third Offense Within 180 Days: $2,100
• Four Offense: $3,000

The bill passed the Senate 39-8 and now moves to the Indiana House, which passed a similar bill last week. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, R, has stated that he supports the measure.

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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, 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 midway point 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.