Tobacco and Nicotine for Minors
S.C. Code 16-17-500 — eighteen in state law, with a $25 civil fine for a minor who lies about age
No one may sell, give or provide a tobacco product to a minor under the age of eighteen years, and no tobacco or alternative nicotine product may be sold to someone who does not show proof of age when asked.
Who handles this in South Carolina: SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the South Carolina directory.
| Who | What happens |
|---|---|
| WhoThe seller, first offense | What happensMisdemeanor, $200 to $300 |
| WhoThe seller, second or later | What happens$400 to $500, up to thirty days, or both |
| WhoA minor who lies about age to buy | What happensA noncriminal offense, $25, or a cessation program or up to five hours of community service instead |
A minor's ticket leaves no record. The minor's violation is not criminal or delinquent, no record may be kept, the minor cannot be arrested or jailed for it, and it cannot cost a state scholarship. A minor may not enter a store whose main business is tobacco without an adult supervising.
A store that keeps selling to minors faces separate administrative fines and can be barred from selling tobacco for a time. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- S.C. Code 16-17-500 — Sale or purchase of tobacco products to minors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.