Effective October 1, 2024 the military exemption from Maryland’s Tobacco 21 law was removed thus aligning it with the Federal Tobacco 21 law which has no exemptions for tobacco sales to persons under 21 years old. Maryland retailers should no longer sell tobacco products including electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, pod-based devices, and component parts and accessories) to any one under the age of 21 - no exceptions.​

Important changes impacting tobacco sales: 

• Tobacco products may not be sold to any customer under the age of 21. 
  
• Valid driver's license or other valid government-issued ID are the only acceptable forms of identification for tobacco purchases (employer or school ID not permitted). 
• Tobacco retailers are required to verify the age of all individuals under the age of 30 with a government-issued photo identification prior to selling any tobacco product, including ESDs.
• Tobacco retailers are to keep all cigarettes, other tobacco products (OTP) (excluding premium cigars), and ESDs behind the counter in an area accessible only to the licensed retailer and employees.
• Increase of licensing fees for all tobacco retailers (cigarettes, OTP, ESD, etc.) from $25 to $300.
• Increased penalties for tobacco retailers that violate state tobacco laws:
• Increase from $300 to $500 for first offense
• Requires the Court to order the Executive Director of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) to suspend the license for up to 90 days for a second violation, up to 180 days for subsequent violations, and to revoke the license for further violations. ​
  
• Allows the clerk or the tobacco retailer to be directly cited for a violation.
  
• Retailers are required to post new age of sale signs in their establishments stating, 'No person under the age of 21 may be sold tobacco products' (Compliant signs are available for download​ or order​​.)​
• The Maryland Department of Health or its designees will be conducting at least one inspection per licensed retailer per year.​​

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

 Please note:  the updated FREE downloadable Tobacco 21 Responsible Retailer Training​ and quiz​ are now available.​ 

The ​Maryland Comptroller announced on February 10, 2020, all wholesalers and retailers must cease all sales and marketing of cartridge-based and disposable electronic smoking devices containing flavors other than tobacco or menthol.​ ​

The Comptroller’s Field Enforcement Division is prioritizing its enforcement actions against those unauthorized products most widely used by children – specifically, cartridge-based and disposable ESDs with flavors other than tobacco or menthol. For more information, please review the Maryland Comptroller Press Release.

Thank you for being a responsible tobacco retailer​. 

Retailers are an important part of our communities, providing goods and services to residents of all ages. Licensed tobacco retailers are uniquely positioned to act responsibly and help reduce and eliminate underage access to tobacco products in Maryland. 

 Maryland is serious about keeping our communities tobacco-free and is increasing educational efforts and retailer compliance checks across the state.​ We appreciate your efforts to help reduce underage access to tobacco products.​​

This website provides materials and resources needed to train and educate retail owners and staff in order to remain compliant with all youth tobacco sales laws. We encourage everyone to utilize and share the resources provided.