HB 87 Summary

• Raises the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old, with exceptions for licensed retailers and persons under direct supervision of state agencies for training or enforcement purposes.

• Requires distributors to verify age by examining government-issued photographic identification before selling tobacco products; exempts persons over age 30 from ID verification.

• Mandates retailers post clearly visible signage stating "No person under the age of twenty-one (21) may purchase tobacco products" in letters at least one-half inch high at points of sale.

• Establishes penalties of $300 minimum for first violation, $600 for second, and $1,000 for subsequent violations by sellers; minors face $10 for first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense or 48-72 hours community service.

• Authorizes the State Department of Health to conduct random unannounced inspections at tobacco retail locations to test and ensure compliance with the law, effective July 1, 2016.