Tobacco 21 Passed by Springfield City Council
The Springfield city council unanimously passed ordinances for T21.
It received broad support from Springfield’s robust medical community at previous meetings where doctors spoke about how young people’s brains were especially susceptible to addiction and how smoking can have profound long-term negative health effects.
Councilwoman Phyllis Ferguson had a personal connection to the proposal, saying her father was a smoker most of his life and died early of lung cancer. “I know what the result of a lifetime of smoking is, and if I can do something to push that back to 21 instead of 18, I would do that in memory of my dad tonight.”
Councilman Matthew Simpson called the effort to raise the age to purchase tobacco products in Springfield, “A community-wide effort based on evidence-based policy.”
Both Councilman Craig Hosmer and Mayor Ken McClure said they would rather the state have passed legislation raising the age to purchase tobacco, but since it hasn’t, they said the city needed to take action.
What if someone older than 21 is buying tobacco, but is at the register with someone younger than 21—does the clerk have to refuse the sale?
There is nothing in our ordinance that pertains to the age of people around a purchase—just that a person who is purchasing tobacco or vape products must be 21.
Does this make it illegal to possess tobacco products if you are 21 or younger?
- 18-21, there is nothing in our ordinance that keeps a person from possessing tobacco or vape products (but they cannot be sold to or provided with)
- Younger than 18—cannot purchase nor possess tobacco or vape products
- HOWEVER, it is illegal for a person to provide tobacco to someone under 21
Where can I get the new required signage for tobacco and vape sales?
- New signage will be provided to retail locations soon
- If you wish to create your own sign, the requirements include:
- the sign must include red lettering at least one-half inch high on a white background, with this wording:
- IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS, ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS OR VAPOR PRODUCTS TO BE SOLD TO ANY PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21.
Information provided by Springfield-Greene County Health. Tobacco 21—a Springfield ordinance prohibiting tobacco and vape sales or provision to anyone under 21 years of age—goes into effect July 16, 2019. Click HERE for complete details.