Bill raising legal age to buy tobacco products in Delaware heads to Governor’s desk

DELAWARE – A bill that would raise the legal age to buy tobacco products in Delaware is on its way to Governor John Carney’s desk.

On Thursday, house members voted 25-16 for the measure. The bill now goes to Governor John Carney for final approval, who says that he is going to sign it into law.

This means that retailers caught selling any tobacco product or tobacco substitute to someone under the age of 18 could face criminal fines ranging from $250 to $1,000. Those caught selling to anyone between the ages of 18 to 21 could face civil penalties of similar amounts.

This bill also eliminates an existing provision that allows parents or guardians to buy tobacco for minors, as well as existing penalties for underage buyers.

Amendments to keep penalties for underage buyers and to exempt active-duty military members failed to win house approval.