Passing inspections means starting with the basic regulatory requirements the FDA sets forth for tobacco retailers. Here is the foundation for retail-tobacco regulation regarding cigarettes, roll-your-own (RYO) and smokeless tobacco:
— Retailers must check a photo ID of everyone under the age of 27 who attempts to purchase cigarettes, cigarette tobacco or RYO tobacco.
— Retailers can sell only cigarettes, cigarette tobacco and roll-your-own-tobacco to customers of legal buying age. The legal buying age may differ; many states and local municipalities have passed their own legal-age laws.
— Retailers cannot sell cigarettes, cigarette tobacco or RYO in a vending machine or self-service display unless the retailer operates an adults-only facility.
— Retailers cannot give away free samples of these products to consumers, including any of their components or parts.
— Retailers cannot sell products in these categories if they contain a “characterizing flavor” (except menthol or tobacco flavor).
— Retailers cannot sell cigarette packages containing fewer than 20 cigarettes, including single cigarettes.
— Retailers cannot break open packages of cigarettes, cigarette tobacco or RYO tobacco to sell products in smaller amounts.
Beginning Aug. 10, 2018, two new regulations will be enforced:
— Retailers cannot sell or distribute cigarette tobacco or RYO tobacco products without a warning statement on the package.
— Retailers cannot display advertisements for cigarette tobacco or RYO tobacco products without a warning statement.