Tobacco Retailer Compliance

It is against federal and state law to sell ANY tobacco product, including electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, pod-based devices such as JUUL and their e-liquids, and component parts and accessories) to anyone under the age of 21. 

To comply with federal and Maryland laws, retailers and clerks must:

• Post an age of sale sign (compliant with the new T21 law).
• Use a driver’s license or government-issued ID to verify customer age.
• Train all staff on tobacco sales procedures and policies​ to:
  • Ask for valid photo ID from everyone under 30. (An employer or school ID is not permitted).
  • Check to make sure everyone is at least 21.
  • Refuse to sell tobacco and e-cigarette products to everyone under 21.

Under Maryland law, a Tobacco Retailer is responsible for paying the civil penalty issued to store clerks when they have sold tobacco products or an Electronic Smoking Device (ESD) to individuals under 21 years old.

However, in Anne Arundel County, the individual store clerk that has sold tobacco products or an ESD to an individual under the age of 21 is responsible for paying the criminal penalty.

Maryland House Bill (HB) 169, Tobacco 21, specifies that if a person acting on behalf of a retailer violates specified prohibitions against the sale or distribution of tobacco products or ESDs, the retailer must pay the civil penalties, as followed:

• $500 for first violation;
• $1,000 for second violation if within two years of first violation and/or 90-day suspension; and
• $3,000 for each subsequent violation within two years of the prior and/or 180-day suspension or license revocation.

The Maryland Department of Health’s Complete Tobacco 21 Toolkit offers materials and tools to train retailers and clerks to remain compliant with youth tobacco sales laws. A few topics include:

• Quick Reference Guide: Explains tobacco sales laws and how to check ID and calculate age.
• ID Guide: Spot fake IDs and determine underage tobacco buyers.
• Product Guide: List of products against the law to sell to minors.
• Comprehensive Law Guide: Details on laws, licensing requirements and regulations.
• Federal and Maryland Law Chart: Legal restrictions of selling tobacco products to individuals under 21.
• Retailer Training Quiz: Test clerks after they have reviewed training materials.

Approximately 865,000 Marylanders use tobacco and electronic smoking devices, most of them starting before age 21. This new law aims to protect over a quarter of a million residents between ages 18 to 20 from developing a nicotine addiction.

To quit or help someone you know stop smoking or vaping, visit Quit Smoking for free smoking cessation tools and resources.

For information about vaping, visit Electronic Cigarettes.

The Department of Health partners with local law enforcement to educate tobacco retailers about the law and conduct compliance checks. Underage shoppers, working with the police, visit retailers and attempt to purchase. If retailers ask for ID and refuse the sale, they pass. If retailers make the sale to the underage customer, they fail and receive a Tobacco and ENDS Criminal Citation – Criminal Law 10-107.

The following retailer(s) failed a compliance check:

Vape Retailer Violation Report

Tobacco Retailer Violation Report