On December 20th, 2019, federal legislation was signed by President Trump raising the age for sales of tobacco products from age 18 to 21 under federal law. This new federal legislation bars retailers from selling tobacco products- including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes- to anyone under age 21. Current Iowa Code provides criminal and civil penalties for violations of purchase/attempted  purchase and possession of tobacco products and vapor products by persons under age 18, and for giving, selling or supplying these products to persons under age 18. While this change in federal law makes it illegal to sell tobacco products under federal law, it does not create a state law offense for sales of covered tobacco products to 18, 19 and 20-year olds. The new federal law also does not create a state law offense for possession, use, purchase or attempt to purchase barred tobacco products by persons 18, 19 and 20 years old. According to Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt all violations of the new law are federal violations and will be dealt accordingly. Sandholdt says he hopes clarification will come with Iowa’s legislative session. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is currently working to determine how this federal law change interacts with state law. Clarification and further guidance from the Federal Drug Administration is still in waiting. For more information regarding the new law click here:

https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/compliance-enforcement-training/retail-sales-tobacco-products.