Health

21-or-over law for tobacco sales goes into effect Jan. 1

Steve Bellone signs the new tobacco law in October, raising the age limit to 21 for tobacco purchases. (Credit: Courtesy)
Steve Bellone signs the new tobacco law in October, raising the age limit to 21 for tobacco purchases. (Credit: Courtesy)

Suffolk County officials want residents to know that today, New Year’s Day, marks the first day the 21-or-over law goes into effect for the sale of tobacco and liquid nicotine products.

Prior to Jan. 1, it had been illegal to sell those items to anyone under age 19.

Violators may be fined a minimum $300, officials said. Authorized  vendors will be contacted when new, age 21 signage is available at county offices.

Temporary signage can be ordered by clicking here.

The law, signed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone in April, made Suffolk the first county in the U.S. to raise the age limit to 21 for tobacco purchases