At its most recent meeting, the Trumbull Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old, joining a small but steadily growing list of Connecticut municipalities to enact such an increase.
The increase also applies to the purchase of electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and other tobacco alternative products. Additionally, tobacco retailers within the town will now be required to obtain a tobacco retailers license at the cost of $100 per year, which will be used to fund compliance checks by the town’s health department and police force. Retailers who violate provisions of the law, including selling to minors or failing to have proper signage, will face a first time fine of $150, which can climb to $250 for a third violation with a two year period, before the license will be revoked on a subsequent violation.
The increase went into effect immediately upon passage, however a provision in the ordinance states that the Trumbull Health Department or its authorized designees shall implement the licensing, enforcement and public education requirements within 90 days, or June 30.
Trumbull is located 20 miles southwest of New Haven and is home to approximately 36,000 residents.