Bill > HB359

This bill raises the minimum legal sale age for tobacco products in Mississippi from 18 to 21 years old, aiming to reduce tobacco use among young people. The legislation is based on extensive findings about the health risks of tobacco, noting that 95% of adult smokers begin smoking before age 21 and that raising the purchase age could prevent thousands of premature deaths. The bill prohibits selling or distributing tobacco products (including electronic smoking devices like e-cigarettes) to anyone under 21 and requires distributors to verify the recipient's age by checking government-issued photo identification. Retailers must post signs clearly stating the age restriction, and the State Department of Health can conduct random inspections to ensure compliance. Penalties for violations include fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 for sellers, with lower fines or community service for underage individuals attempting to purchase tobacco. The law includes some exceptions, such as allowing people under 21 to handle tobacco products as part of their job, and provides an affirmative defense for sellers who reasonably checked identification. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and amends several existing sections of Mississippi's tobacco-related legal code to align with the new age restriction.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0359.xml