Loveland Vendors Uncertain After FDA Raises Age to Buy Tobacco

You must now be 21 years old to purchase tobacco products in the United States, as of December 20.

The change came when President Donald Trump amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Federal officials insist that the new law is already in effect, and that it is now illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under 21.

However, Colorado's state law still maintains that the minimum age to buy tobacco products is 18. According to the Loveland Reporter-Harold, this discrepancy is causing confusion among Loveland vendors.

Sellers assert that they have not been told much information about how and when the minimum age will be raised, with some mistakenly assuming that it will not take effect until later in 2020.

The only definitive piece of information many vendors have been able to find is from a post on the FDA's website.

Others are just waiting to see whether or not raising the age to buy tobacco will make a difference in the vaping rates among youths.

Sargent Bob Rabson, of the Loveland Police Department (LPD), is hoping that the new law will have a positive impact.

Still, Rabson does not believe that any impact will be apparent until children return to school after winter break.

The LPD has cracked down on underage tobacco use harder than ever before in 2019, with citations increasing by over 100 in the last few years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Colorado has the highest rate of youth-vaping than any other state.

Despite this, Rabson is unsure whether or not the city will actually be able to enforce the change, stating that the Larimer County Health and Environment Department is the one responsible for informing vendors.

Until then, some vendors, such as Legacy Vapors, have promised to continue selling to customers as young as 18.

Majority of tobacco shops, however, are choosing to follow federal law in order to avoid citations.

Regardless, the main goal of the change is to prevent youth vaping — so stay away for the Juul, kids.