The FDA's New Age Verification Requirements

The Food and Drug Administration’s “deeming rule” largely focuses on new requirements for age verification.  New guidelines have been released in order to help retailers more consistently and thoroughly ensure that cigars, pipes, and other tobacco products or components are not being sold to any individual under the age of 18 years old.  Below, is a list of the age requirements which the FDA will continue routinely monitoring with unannounced retail store inspections. 

• For any individual under the age of 26, age must be verified by means of photo identification. 
• In a facility where cigars are being purchased via a vending machine or any other electronic or mechanical device, the age of each person must be verified as over 18 before they may enter the facility or venue.
• The sale of all covered products, including a pipe, considered a component in the consumption of tobacco, is subject to the same age and verification requirements.

Full compliance with these new guidelines is very important.  Please feel free to reach out to IPCPR with any questions or concerns regarding the new rule.  Additionally, please notify IPCPR if you have any interactions with the FDA regarding matters of age verification or otherwise.