Access to Racial and Cultural Health (ARCH) Institute’s Drug Free Coalition of Adolescents and Young Adults (CAYA) reminds merchants across the territory of the Tobacco 21 / T21 federal law which prohibits all retailers across the United States including in the territory from selling tobacco products to persons under the age of 21.
The T21 legislation took effect on Dec. 20, 2022, the day it was enacted. T21 supersedes VI Code Title 21 Chapter 9 § 305b.
Merchants should check the IDs of persons purchasing tobacco products to ensure they are following the T21 law. This includes the sale of tobacco leaf commonly known as funta.
Merchants can be fined by the relevant jurisdictive Virgin Islands Government department if found out of compliance.
Persons of legal age to purchase tobacco products should refrain from purchasing products for those under 21, including minors.
CAYA will begin distributing ‘We Card’ posters to tobacco retailers, reminding customers and merchants the sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under 21. In the coming weeks, CAYA will launch a poster design contest for a “21 or Be Gone” Campaign.
Drug Free Coalition of Adolescents and Young Adults is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program and administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
