Tobacco Under Twenty One
Md. Code, Crim. Law § 10-107 — a misdemeanor to sell or buy for anyone under 21
A business selling tobacco may not distribute a tobacco product, tobacco paraphernalia, or a coupon for tobacco to anyone under the age of 21 years, and no one else may buy a tobacco product for, or sell one to, a person under 21, or give them tobacco paraphernalia.
Who handles this in Maryland: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maryland directory.
| Violation | Fine up to |
|---|---|
| ViolationFirst | Fine up to$500 |
| ViolationSecond within 2 years | Fine up to$1,000 |
| ViolationEach later one within 2 years | Fine up to$3,000 |
Checking a driver's license or other government ID face to face that showed the buyer as at least 21 is a defense. A young employee handling tobacco for an employer is outside the section. A particular charge is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Law § 10-107 — Tobacco products; distribution to persons under 21
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.