All Comparison Tables
Tobacco-21 Enforcement by State
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: April 2026
Civil or criminal penalty for selling tobacco to persons under 21, and any possession penalty for minors under the federal Tobacco-21 law.
50 States1 data columnsLast updated: May 2026
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| Sale Penalty | Minor Possession |
|---|---|
| $10-$200 fine | $10-$50 |
| $300+ fine | $300 (PUM) |
| $300+ fine | No PUM penalty |
| $100-$1,000 | $100 |
| $200-$6,000 | No PUM penalty |
| $250-$1,000 | Civil only |
| $250-$750 | $50-$200 |
| $250-$1,000 | $50-$100 |
| $500-$5,000 | $25 fine |
| $300-$1,000 | $25-$300 |
| $500-$2,000 | $10-$50 |
| $300-$1,000 | $75 (PUM) |
| $200-$1,000 | No PUM |
| $200-$1,000 | $50-$500 |
| $100-$500 | $100-$500 |
| $200-$1,000 | $25-$200 |
| $100-$500 | $50-$100 |
| $50-$500 | No PUM |
| $200-$1,500 | $50-$200 |
| $300-$3,000 | No PUM |
| $100-$1,000 | No PUM |
| $100-$2,500 | No PUM |
| $200-$1,000 | Civil only |
| $50-$500 | $50 (PUM) |
| $25-$250 | $10-$50 |
| $100-$500 | $25-$50 |
| $100-$500 | $25-$100 |
| $500 | No PUM |
| $100-$250 | $100-$250 |
| $250-$1,000 | No PUM |
| $100-$1,000 | $25-$50 |
| $300-$1,000 | $50-$100 |
| $25-$100 | $25-$100 |
| $200-$1,000 | $25 |
| $100-$1,000 | $10-$100 |
| $100-$500 | $100 (PUM) |
| $50-$500 | Civil only |
| $100-$1,000 | $25-$100 |
| $100-$500 | $100 fine |
| $25-$200 | $100-$200 |
| $200-$500 | $25 |
| $100-$500 | $50 (PUM) |
| $500-$10,000 | $100 (PUM) |
| $300-$1,000 | $60 (PUM) |
| $100-$500 | Civil only |
| $100-$2,500 | $100 |
| $200-$1,500 | No PUM |
| $50-$500 | $50-$200 |
| $100-$1,000 | $25-$50 |
| $50-$750 | $50 |
| $1,000-$2,000 | No PUM |
The federal Tobacco-21 Act (Public Law 116-94) raised the federal minimum age to 21 nationwide in December 2019. States must enforce minimum age requirements to receive Synar Amendment block grant funds. PUM (Purchase, Use, Possession by Minor) penalties vary widely.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.