South Dakota Tobacco Purchasing Age Increase Bill Clears House Committee

The South Dakota House Health and Human Services Committee has passed a bill that would increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.

H.B. 1063 passed its hearing by a 9-3 vote earlier today. It has 19 co-sponsors, all Republicans.

---

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.