Tobacco Under Twenty One
18 Pa.C.S. 6305 — a minor here is under 21, except service members and veterans, for whom it is under 18
For tobacco, a minor is anyone under 21 years of age, except a member of the active or reserve armed forces or an honorably discharged veteran, who is a minor only under 18. No one may sell or furnish a tobacco product to a minor, and a minor may not buy one or lie about age to get one.
Who handles this in Pennsylvania: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Pennsylvania directory.
| Who | Penalty |
|---|---|
| WhoA person who sells or furnishes, first offense | Penalty$100 to $250 |
| WhoA retailer, first offense | Penalty$100 to $500, rising to $3,000 to $5,000 by the fourth |
| WhoA minor who buys or lies about age | PenaltyUp to 75 hours of community service, a cessation program, a fine of up to $200, or any of those |
A minor's offense is not a criminal record and is not reported as a criminal act, and the parent or guardian is notified of the citation. A particular citation is a question for a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 6305 — Sale of tobacco products
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.