Local tobacco retailers have questions about new tobacco law

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s a new federal law in effect raising the age to buy tobacco products.

Local tobacco retailers are dealing with some confusion after what they said is a sudden law change.

Local stores that sell tobacco tell WCBI they have received little guidance on the new law and how to enforce it.

If you want to buy tobacco, you must be 21 years old.

On Friday, the FDA noted on its website that “it is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21.”

Zachariah Abdo owns Sandfield One Stop and said he would like proper protocol.

“Normally the tobacco companies they send us a letter informing us that the age limit has been changed definitively right now we have not received anything and I’m just hearing it from you really,” said Abdo.

Because the bill doesn’t have an effective date, Abdo said he’s confused about what to do.

“If it’s effective so I don’t know what to do. I mean are we going to sell to people who are underage, under 21,” said Abdo.

Abdo put up a handmade sign warning about the new law and in the meantime, he’s not selling to anyone under 18.

“They not going to get no cigars, cigarettes,” said Abdo.

He said he would rather be safe and in compliance with federal guidelines.

The increased age restriction for tobacco purchases is attached to a broader $1.4 trillion spending agreement.