Minnesota Tobacco Age: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses

Introduction

In Minnesota, the minimum age to purchase tobacco products is 21. This law, passed in 2019, aims to reduce youth tobacco use and improve public health. Businesses that sell tobacco products must adhere to this law to avoid penalties and protect young people.

Benefits of Complying with Minnesota Tobacco Age Laws

Reduced Youth Tobacco Use: Studies have shown that raising the tobacco age to 21 can significantly reduce youth smoking rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that raising the tobacco age to 21 nationwide could prevent over 223,000 premature deaths and 5.6 million years of life lost.

Improved Public Health: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. By reducing youth smoking rates, Minnesota's tobacco age law will help improve the health of the state's residents.

Business Protection: Businesses that comply with tobacco age laws can avoid potential fines and legal penalties. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, penalties for selling tobacco products to minors can range from $500 to $2,000 per violation.

Benefit	How to Achieve
Reduced Youth Tobacco Use	Train staff to verify ID, use age verification software
Improved Public Health	Follow tobacco age laws strictly, promote smoke-free policies
Business Protection	Display prominent signs about tobacco age laws, report underage tobacco sales to authorities

How to Comply with Minnesota Tobacco Age Laws

Train Staff to Verify ID: All employees who sell tobacco products should be trained to verify the age of customers. This can be done by asking for a photo ID or using an age verification scanner.

Use Age Verification Software: Businesses can also use age verification software to scan customer IDs and ensure that they are of legal age to purchase tobacco products.

Display Prominent Signs: Businesses should display clear and conspicuous signs that state the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in Minnesota. These signs should be posted at point-of-sale and in other visible locations.

Step	Action
1. Train Staff: Conduct training on ID verification and age laws
2. Use Software: Implement age verification software to streamline ID scanning
3. Display Signs: Post clear signs about the minimum age to purchase tobacco products

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Selling Tobacco Products to Minors: This is a serious violation of the law and can result in significant penalties.

Failing to Verify ID: Businesses must verify the age of all customers who purchase tobacco products.

Displaying Inadequate Signs: Signs about tobacco age laws should be clear, conspicuous, and posted in visible locations.

Conclusion

Complying with Minnesota's minimum age to purchase tobacco products is essential for businesses and public health. By following these guidelines, businesses can protect themselves from legal penalties, reduce youth tobacco use, and improve the health of the community.

Minnesota Tobacco Age: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses