document_title: Smoking age

question_text: how old do you have to be to buy tobacco in portugal

text: Smoking age

text: Smoking age laws by region[edit]

text: Africa[edit]

text:
Country
De jure
Notes

Smoking age
Purchase age

 Algeria
None
19
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors under the age of 19 years.
(Chapitre IV sur les problèmes de santé l'article 93: "la vente de tabac ou produits du tabac aux mineurs est interdite".)[1]

 Angola
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to minors under the age of 18.[2]

 Benin
None
18
[3]

 Botswana
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to minors under the age of 18 Any person who sells, by retail, any tobacco product, shall display clearly, for the public, a notice to the effect that the sale of any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years is prohibited.[4]

 Burkina Faso
None
18
[5]

 Burundi
None
18
It is illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18. Other tobacco products are not regulated.[6]

 Cameroon
15

 Cape Verde
15

 Central African Republic
14

 Chad
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a minor. Minors and pregnant women may not smoke in public.[7]

 Comoros
None
18
The sale of tobacco products to minors is prohibited. Vendors of tobacco products must visibly and prominently display at their point of sale a notice of prohibition of the sale of tobacco to minors and by minors.[8]

 Republic of the Congo
18
[9]

 Democratic Republic of the Congo
18
It is illegal for minors to smoke in public, and for anyone to give or sell tobacco to a minor.
(ARRETE MINISTERIEL N°1250 Article 1: L'usage, la vente, l'achat et la consommation du tabac, de ses produits et de ses dérivés sont strictement interdits aux mineurs.)[10]

 Djibouti
None
16
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor under the age of 16 years. A notice with the sale restrictions has to be placed at point of sale.[11]

 Egypt
18
A person must be eighteen years or over to legally purchase and consume tobacco products in Egypt. The smoking age however isn't strictly enforced, and IDs are barely requested.

 Equatorial Guinea
18
[12]

 Eritrea
None
18
[13]

 Ethiopia
None
18
("No person may directly or indirectly give, provide or sell any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18.")[14]

 Gabon
None
18
[15]

 Gambia
None

 Ghana
18
[16]

 Guinea-Bissau
15

 Kenya
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. There is no minimum age to possess tobacco or smoke in public.[17]

 Lesotho
14

 Liberia
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a minor. Minors may not consume tobacco at any public place.[18]

 Libya
None
18
It is strictly prohibited to sell any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years.[19]

 Madagascar
None
18
[20]

 Malawi
14

 Mali
None
18
[21]

 Mauritius
18
A person must be 18 years old to purchase or to smoke cigarettes including any tobacco products as is indicated in Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 1999, Sec. 2(e)(i)).

 Morocco
16

 Mozambique
None
18
[22]

 Namibia
None
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a minor.[23]
No minimum age prior to April 14th 2010.

 Niger
None
18 (to enter smoking room or facility)
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor. Minors may not enter any smoking room or facility where smoking is permitted by law.[24]
No minimum age prior to July 17th 2008.

 Nigeria
None
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco products to a minor.[25]

 Republic of the Congo
14

 Rwanda
None
18
It is prohibited to involve a person under 18 in, buying, selling and exchanging of tobacco and tobacco products. It is also prohibited for the seller to sell tobacco and tobacco products to a person under 18.[26]

 São Tomé and Príncipe
None
16
[27]

 Senegal
None
18
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years. (Chapitre III.- Accès aux produits du tabac: Article 17 Il est interdit de vendre ou d'offrir aux mineurs ou de faire vendre ou de faire offrir par les mineurs du tabac ou tout produit du tabac.)[28]

 Seychelles
18
[29]

 Somalia
15

 South Africa
18
It is illegal to sell or supply any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18.[30]

 South Sudan
15

 Swaziland
None
18
It is illegal to sell and give tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.[31]

 Sudan
None
18 (to enter smoking room or facility)
18
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco to a minor. Anyone under the age of 18 may also not handle, store, work or produce with tobacco or within such a facility.[32]

 Tanzania
18
It is unlawful to sell or give tobacco products to a minor, and to smoke such tobacco products if the individual is younger than 18 years.[33]

 Togo
None
18
It is illegal to sell or give any tobacco product to a minor.[34]

 Tunisia
None
18
[35]

 Uganda
None
21
It is now illegal for a person below the age of 21 to access cigarettes[36]

 Zambia
None
16
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 16 years. No minimum age for consumption and possession in public.
No minimum age prior to January 1st 1993.[37]

 Zimbabwe
None
18
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. Minors may not sell tobacco.[38]

text: Americas[edit]

text:
Country
De jure
Notes

Smoking age
Purchase age

 Antigua and Barbuda
None
Antigua and Barbuda don't have any restrictions towards selling tobacco to minors or smoking in general.[39]

 Argentina
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors.[40]

 Bahamas
None
18
[41]

 Belize
None

 Bermuda
None
18
No person shall sell or supply any cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products to a minor. A person selling or supplying any cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products to a person who appears to be under 25 years of age shall, before selling or supplying them, ensure, by requiring photo identification, that the latter person is not a minor.[42]

 Bolivia
None
18
The sale of tobacco products to minors under the age of 18 years is prohibited.[43]

 Brazil
18[44]
18
It is illegal to "sell Products whose ingredients can cause physical or psychic dependence, even if only through improper use" (…). This also includes tobacco products of any kind.[45]

 British Virgin Islands
None
18
It is illegal to sell or offer to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for minors to purchase, possess or consume tobacco.[46]

 Canada

Regulations by province and territory:

Province/territory
Smoking age
Purchase age
Notes

Federal Government
None
18[47]
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to a minor under the age of 18.
The minimum age was 16 years of prior to 1994.[48]

 Alberta
18[49]
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to a minor under the age of 18. Further, minors are not permitted to smoke at any public place.

 British Columbia
None
19[50]

 Manitoba
None
18[51]
It is illegal to sell, give, buy for, lend or otherwise provide tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Parents can provide tobacco products to their children on private property. Further it is legal to supply tobacco to a minor if it is solely for use in traditional Aboriginal spiritual or cultural practices or ceremonies.

 New Brunswick
None
19[52]
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19 years. It is also illegal to attempt to purchase tobacco on behalf of, or for the purpose of resale to, a person under the age of 19 years.

 Newfoundland and Labrador
None
19[53]
It is illegal to sell, give or furnish, directly or indirectly, tobacco to a person under the age of 19 years.

 Northwest Territories
None
18[54]
No person shall sell or supply, or offer to sell or supply, tobacco or a tobacco accessory to a person under the age of 18. No one under the age of 18 years shall purchase or attempt to purchase tobacco or a tobacco accessory.

 Nova Scotia
19[55]
19[56]
No vendor or employee of a vendor shall sell or give tobacco or a tobacco product to a person under the age of nineteen years. No person shall purchase tobacco or a tobacco product on behalf of, or for the purpose of resale or give tobacco or a tobacco product, to a person under the age of nineteen years. No person under the age of nineteen years may possess tobacco.

 Nunavut
None
19[57]
No person shall sell or supply, or offer to sell or supply, tobacco to a person who is less than 19 years old.

 Ontario
None
19[58]
No person shall sell or supply tobacco to a person who is less than 19 years old. No person shall sell or supply tobacco to a person who appears to be less than 25 years old unless he or she has required the person to provide identification and is satisfied that the person is at least 19 years old.

 Prince Edward Island
None
19[59]
No person shall sell or supply tobacco to a person under the age of 19 years. No person shall purchase or attempt to purchase tobacco on behalf of, or for the purpose of resale to, a person under the age of 19 years. It is legal to supply tobacco to a minor if it is solely for use in traditional Aboriginal spiritual or cultural practices or ceremonies.

 Quebec
None
18[60]
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years. The operator of a tobacco retail outlet may not give tobacco to a minor. The operator of a tobacco retail outlet may not sell tobacco to an adult, if the operator knows the person is purchasing the tobacco for a minor.

 Saskatchewan
None
18[61]
It is illegal to sell, lend, assign, give or send tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Yukon
18 (federal law)
The territory Yukon has no legislations which restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors. Federal laws apply.

 Chile
None
18
It is illegal to sell any form of tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.[62]

 Colombia
None
18
It is forbidden for any individual or legal entity to directly or indirectly sell tobacco products and its derivatives in any of its presentations to minors under the age of 18 years. In case of question, one must ask each tobacco purchaser to show that he has reached majority age.[63]

 Costa Rica
None
18
Tobacco products may not be sold to minors. Wholesale or retail vendors of products shall have the obligation, at their own expense, to display posters that are visible, clear and prominently placed on the inside of places of sale, stating that the sale of tobacco products to minors is prohibited.[64]

 Cuba
None
18
[65]

 Cayman Islands
None
18
(Tobacco Law, 2007 PART V – Section 10: No person shall sell tobacco to a minor.) [66]

 Dominican Republic
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.[67]

 Ecuador
None
18
It is illegal to sell or let sell tobacco to or by a minor.[68]

 El Salvador
None
18
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco to a minor.[69]

 Falkland Islands
None

 Guatemala
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Public consumption of tobacco by minors is prohibited. (El decreto 90-97, Código de Salud, indica en su artículo 50)[70]

 Guyana
None
18
No tobacco may be sold or furnished to a minor.[71]

 Haiti
None
18

 Honduras
None
21
The sale and/or gifting of tobaccoderived products to persons under 21 years of age is prohibited.[72]

 Jamaica
None
18
[73]

 Mexico
None
18
[74]

 Nicaragua
None
18
[75]

 Panama
None
18
The sale of tobacco products to minors is prohibited.[76]

 Paraguay
None
18
It is unlawful to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years.[77]

 Peru
18
The sale of tobacco products to/by minors under the age of 18 is prohibited.[78]

 Trinidad and Tobago
None
18
Tobacco shall not be sold to or by a child under the age of 18 years.[79]

 United States
(50 states and integral territories)
The federal law requires states to have a minimum age of 18 years for sale/purchase of tobacco products (21 U.S.C. § 387f. (3)(a)(ii)). State laws may extend this ban and also prohibit supply, possession and consumption to/by person underage. But most of the states do not directly ban the consumption of tobacco by a minor. The federal law requiring states to have a minimum purchasing age at 18 is enforced by withholding FEMA disaster and non-disaster grants from states that have purchasing ages under 18, and currently no state falls under that category.

Regulations by state:

State/territory
Smoking age
Purchase age
Notes

 Alabama
19[80]
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19 years. Minors are prohibited from using and possessing tobacco products.
The minimum age was introduced in 1896.[81]

 Alaska
None
19[82]
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 19 years. Possession by minors is prohibited. The minimum age requirement does not apply to a person who is a prisoner at an adult correctional facility.[83]
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1978.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 19 in 1988.[81]

 American Samoa
18

 Arizona
None
18[84]
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products or smoking equipment to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for a minor to be in possession of tobacco or smoking equipment, or to receive them.

None
21[85][86]
Cottonwood and Douglas have raised their tobacco age to 21

 Arkansas
18[87]
It is illegal to give or sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for minors to be in possession of tobacco products and to smoke in public.

 California
18[88]
21[89]
As of June 9, 2016, it is illegal to sell or furnish tobacco to a person under 21 years of age, with an exception for people in active military service who are 18 years old.
Before June 9, the age to purchase tobacco was 18 years of age. Amended after the 2016 election it is legal for persons age 18 and older to buy tobacco products with no filter. (Cigars, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.)

 Colorado
18[90]
It is illegal to sell, give or distribute tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Minors under the age of 18 years are prohibited from being in possession of any tobacco product.

 Connecticut
None
18[91]
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under 18. It is illegal for minors to possess tobacco in public.
A minimum age of 16 was introduced in 1902.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1987.[81]

 Delaware
None
18[92]
Selling, giving or otherwhise distributing tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years is illegal. Minors under the age of 18 years are not allowed to attempt to purchase tobacco or to be in the possession of tobacco products.
The minimum age of 17 years was introduced in 1953.
The minimum age was raised from 17 to 18 in 1992.[81][93]

 Florida
None
18[94]
The Florida Statutes make it a criminal offence so sell or supply tobacco to an individual under the age of 18 years. Minors may also not be in possession of tobacco products.

 Georgia
None
18[95]
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for minors to possess tobacco in public. Minors are allowed to possess tobacco products and to consume those, in private home if permission is given by parents or legal guardian.
The minimum age of 17 years was introduced in 1987.
The minimum age was raised from 17 to 18 in 1993.[81][93]

 Guam
18
The minimum age will be raised from 18 to 21, as of January 1, 2018.[96]

 Hawaii
21[97][98]
It is illegal to sell or furnish tobacco to a person under 21 years of age. It is also illegal for a person under 21 years of age to attempt to purchase tobacco.
The minimum age of 15 years was introduced on November 11, 1890.[99]
The minimum age was raised from 15 to 18 on January 1, 1988.[100]
The minimum age was raised from 18 to 21 on January 1, 2016.[101]

 Idaho
18[102][103]

 Illinois
None
18[104][105]

None
21[106][107]
The cities of Chicago and Evanston have a tobacco sales age of 21

 Indiana
None
18[108]
Giving, selling, providing and distributing tobacco to minors is illegal. Minors may not possess, accept or purchase tobacco. Minors are not allowed to enter a tobacco business, defined in state law as a business whose primary activity is the sale of tobacco products and accessories.
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1980.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1987.[81]

 Iowa
18[109]
It is illegal for minors to be in possession of tobacco, to smoke in public or to purchase tobacco products. It is illegal to sell or distribute tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.

 Kansas
None
18[110]
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a minor. Minors may not possess or purchase or attempt to possess or purchase tobacco.

None
21[111]
Eight cities in Kansas have raised their tobacco age to 21

 Kentucky
None
18[112]
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase or possess tobacco products. Prior to 1990 Kentucky had no minimum age to purchase tobacco. From 1990 until 1992 the minimum age was 16 years.
In 1992 the age was raised from 16 to 18 years of age. [93]

 Louisiana
None
18[113]
It is illegal to sell or distribute tobacco to a minor. A minor is not permitted to possess tobacco, except in private residences or if accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian 21 years of age or older.
Prior to 1991 there was no minim age limit in Louisiana.

 Maine
18[114]
It is illegal to sell or distribute tobacco to a minor. A minor is not permitted to possess tobacco, except in private residences or if accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian 21 years of age or older. Raised to 21 in 2017.

 Maryland
None
18[115][116]
Minimum age raised from 16 to 18 in 1989. [93]

 Massachusetts
None
18[117]
It is illegal to sell tobacco to minors. Anyone else than the parents or guardian are prohibited from giving any form of tobacco to a minor.

None
21[118]
Over 100 cities in Massachusetts, including Boston, have age to 21 years.

 Michigan
18[119]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, attempt to possess or consume tobacco products in public. Minors are permitted to smoke on private premises.

 Minnesota
18[120]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, attempt to possess or consume tobacco products in public. Indian may furnish tobacco to an Indian under the age of 18 years if the tobacco is furnished as part of a traditional Indian spiritual or cultural ceremony.

 Mississippi
18[121]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, attempt to possess or consume tobacco products in public.

None
21[122]
Adams County has raised their tobacco age to 21

 Missouri
None
18[123]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. It is not illegal to give tobacco to minors on private premises nor is it illegal for minors to smoke in public.
Prior to 1992 Missouri did not have a minimum age limit.[93]

None
21[124]
Twelve cities in Missouri, including Kansas City, St, Louis and Jefferson City, have raised their tobacco age to 21

 Montana
None
18[125]
Sale or distribution of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age is prohibited, whether over the counter, by vending machine, or otherwise.
Prior to 1993 there was no minimum age limit.[93]

 Nebraska
18[126][127]
It is illegal to sell, give or furnish, in any way tobacco to a minor. Minors may not smoke in public.

 Nevada
None
18[128]

 New Hampshire
18[129]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, attempt to possess or consume tobacco products in public.

 New Jersey
None
21[130]
No person shall sell, give or furnish to a person under 19 years of age, any cigarettes made of tobacco.
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1904.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1988.
The minimum age was raised from 18 to 19 in 2005.
The minimum age was raised from 19 to 21 on July 21, 2017, but doesn't take effect until November 1, 2017.[81]

None
21[131]
15 cities in New Jersey tobacco age to 21 years.

 New Mexico
None
18[132]
Prior to 1991 New Mexico had no minimum age.

 New York
None
18[133]
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years.

None
21[134]
18 (Smoking supplies under federal/state law)
New York City bans all tobacco and e-cigarette sales to anyone under the age of 21.
Prior to May 18, 2014 the minimum age was 18 (by state law).

None
21[135]
Suffolk County bans all herbal cigarettes, rolling papers and pipes sales to anyone under the age of 21.

None
19
18 (Military)[136]
Onondaga County bans all tobacco product sales to anyone under the age of 19.

None
19[137]
Nassau County bans all tobacco product sales to anyone under the age of 19.

 North Carolina
None
18[138]
It is illegal for anyone under age 18 to buy, attempt to buy, to receive, or to use a false or misleading proof of age for the purpose of purchasing or receiving any tobacco product or cigarette wrapping papers.
The minimum age of 17 years was introduced in 1891.
The minimum age was raised from 17 to 18 in 1991.[81][93]

  North Dakota
18[139]

 Northern Mariana Islands
18
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco to a minor.

 Ohio
18[140]

None
21[141]
Five cities in Ohio, including Cleveland, have raised their tobacco age to 21

 Oklahoma
None
18[142]
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.
The minimum age of 18 years was introduced in 1915.

 Oregon
None
21[143]
Starting January 1, 2018 it will be illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco to anyone under the age of 21 years.

 Pennsylvania
None
18[144]
It is illegal to sell, furnish, give or otherwise provide tobacco to a minor. Minors may not purchase or attempt to purchase tobacco products.
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1972.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1990.[81][93]

 Puerto Rico
None
18

 Rhode Island
18[145][146]
No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase, nor shall any person sell, give, or deliver to any person under eighteen years of age, any tobacco products. No person under eighteen years of age shall use or possess, tobacco in any public street, place, or resort, any tobacco and/or electronic nicotine delivery system in any form.
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1896.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1988.[81]

 South Carolina
None
18[147]
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for minors to purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or attempt to possess a tobacco product, or present or offer proof of age that is false or fraudulent for the purpose of purchasing or possessing a tobacco product.

 South Dakota
None
18
Prior to 1989 South Dakota didn't regulate the sale of cigarettes to minors. Only smokeless tobacco products could not be sold to minors.

 Tennessee
None
18[148]
It is unlawful for a person who has not attained 18 years of age to possess a tobacco product, to purchase or accept receipt of a tobacco product, or to present or offer to any person any purported proof of age which is false, fraudulent, or not actually that person's own for the purpose of purchasing or receiving any tobacco product.

 Texas
18[149]
It is illegal to sell, give, supply or otherwise provide tobacco to minors. Minors may not purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, attempt to possess or consume tobacco products in public. Exception: The individual younger than 18 years of age possessed the cigarette or tobacco product in the presence of an adult parent, a guardian, or a spouse of the individual or an employer of the individual, if possession or receipt of the tobacco product is required in the performance of the employee's duties as an employee.
The minimum age to purchase, possess and consume tobacco was 16 years of age from 1899 to 1989.[93]

 United States Virgin Islands
None
18
[150]

 Utah
19[151]
It is illegal to sell, supply, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products or smoking devices to anyone under the age of 19 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 19 years to possess, consume, purchase any tobacco product.

 Vermont
None
18[152]
It is illegal to sell, supply, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to possess or purchase tobacco products.
The minimum age of 17 years was introduced in 1888.
The minimum age was raised from 17 to 18 in 1991.[81][93]

 Virginia
18[153]
It is illegal to sell, supply, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to possess or purchase tobacco products.
Prior to 1991 the minimum age to purchase tobacco products was 16 years of age.[93]

 Washington
None
18[154]
It is illegal to sell, give or permit to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for minors to possess or consume tobacco products in public.

 Washington, D.C.
None
18[155]
It is illegal to sell, give or permit to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for minors to possess or consume tobacco products in public.
The minimum age of 16 years was introduced in 1891.
The minimum age was raised from 16 to 18 in 1990.[81][93]

 West Virginia
18[156]
It is illegal to sell, supply, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to possess, consume or purchase tobacco products.

 Wisconsin
None
18[157]
It is illegal to sell, give or permit to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for minors to possess or consume tobacco products in public.

 Wyoming
18[158]
It is illegal to sell, supply, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to possess, consume or purchase tobacco products.
Prior to 1991 Wyoming had no minimum purchase/sale age for tobacco products.[93]

 Uruguay
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a minor. A clearly legible notice with the sale ban to under anyone under the age of 18 years has to be placed inside and outside the premises.[159]

 Venezuela
None
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to a minor.[160]

text: Asia[edit]

text:
Country
De jure
Notes

Smoking age
Purchase age

 Afghanistan
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal to smoke or the use of tobacco in public buildings such as hospitals, schools and restaurants.[161]

 Bhutan
Illegal
In 2004, Bhutan became the first country to ban the sale, cultivation, and production of tobacco. People 18 and over may bring a limited amount of tobacco into Bhutan if they pay import duties.

 Brunei
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for minors to possess, buy or consume tobacco products.[162]

 Bangladesh
16
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 16 years. Any police-officer in uniform or any other person or class of persons duty authorized by the Government has the power to seize and destroy tobacco products of anyone under the age of 16 years whom he finds smoking in public.[163]

 Cambodia
None
18
Any act of selling or distributing all types of tobacco products to persons aged under 18 years or to pregnant women whose pregnancy is obvious or is realized must be punished with six days to one month in prison and a fine of 100,000 riel to 1 million riel.[164]

 China
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors. No one shall smoke on school or education premises. Weakly enforced to not enforced.
No age limit prior to December 29th 2006.[165]

 Hong Kong
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years.[166]

 India
None
18
It is illegal to sell cigarettes or any other tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years. It is illegal to sell tobacco within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.[167]

 Indonesia
None
18
It is illegal to sell an supply tobacco products to pregnant women anyone under the age of 18 years.[168]

 Iran
None
18
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violation will result in confiscation of tobacco from the minor and a fine for the salesperson.[169]

 Iraq
14

 Israel
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor.
No minimum age prior to November 12th 2004.[170]

 Jordan
None
18 (Consumption of water pipes on premises)
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a minor. It is also illegal to provide water pipes in cafes, restaurants and similar places.[171]

 Japan
20
Supplying tobacco to persons under 20 is punishable by a ¥10,000 fine.[172]

 Kazakhstan
None
18
[173]

 Kuwait
None
21
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years.[174]

 Kyrgyzstan
None
18
No minor shall sell or be sold tobacco products.[175]

 Lebanon
18
18
It is illegal to sell or distribute tobacco to a minor.[176]

 Macau
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years. It is not illegal for a minor to smoke or to obtain tobacco from a person of the legal age.[177]

 Malaysia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor.[178]

 Maldives
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. The retailer must ensure that the buyer is at least 18 years of age. Furthermore, a clearly legible notice has to be displayed at point of sale stating that tobacco sales to minors are illegal.[179]

 Mongolia
15

   Nepal
None
18
It is illegal to sell or distribute tobacco products to minors and pregnant women.[180]

 North Korea
None
17
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a minor.[181] (The tobacco law does not define the word "minor", but age of majority is reached at the age of 17 years).

 Oman
15

 Pakistan
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years. A clearly legible notice with the sale restriction has to be placed at point of sale.[182]

 Palestine
14

 Philippines
18
Only people over 18 may buy cigarettes and tobacco due to the "STOP for Health Act". (Stop Tobacco and Other Products for Health)[183]

 Qatar
None
18
It is illegal to sell cigarettes or any other tobacco to a person unter the age of 18 years.[184]

 Saudi Arabia
18

 Singapore
18 (Present); will be raised to 21
It is illegal to sell or give, directly or indirectly any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years. No minor is allowed to consume or to possess any tobacco product in public.[185]

 South Korea
None
19
[186]

 Sri Lanka
None
21
It is illegal to sell any tobacco product to a person under the age of 21 years.[187]

 Syria
None
18
It is unlawful to sell or give tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.[188]

 Taiwan
18
It is illegal to sell or provide tobacco to a pregnant women and anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for a pregnant women or a child to smoke.[189]

 Tajikistan
14

 Thailand
None
18
[190]

 Turkmenistan
Illegal
In January 2016, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedow reportedly banned tobacco sales in Turkmenistan.[191]

 United Arab Emirates
18

 Vietnam
18
It is illegal for people less than 18 years of age use, buy, and sell tobacco products. It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco product to people less than 18 years of age.[192]

 Yemen
14

text: Europe[edit]

text:
Country
De jure
Notes

Smoking age
Purchase age

 Albania
None
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to minors under the age of 18 years.[193]

 Armenia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products anyone under the age of 18 years. Minors may not sell tobacco products.[194]
No minimum age prior to December 24th 2004.

 Austria
16
The minimum age is regulated by each federal state, but is nationwide 16 years. It is illegal in every state to sell or give tobacco products to a person under the age of 16 years as well as the consumption by a person under the age of 16 years in any public place.[195]

 Azerbaijan
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. The packaging of tobacco products must contain a warning that sale to minors is prohibited.[196]
No minimum age prior to January 1st 2002.

 Belarus
None
18
(Decree No. 28 of 2002 Section 32. "It is banned to sell tobacco products to citizens (by citizens) of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens and individuals with no citizenship under 18 years old.")[197]

 Belgium
None
16
("Il est interdit de vendre des produits de tabac aux jeunes de moins de 16 ans et la publicité pour les produits de tabac est interdite.")[198]

 Bosnia and Herzegovina
18
It is illegal to sell and gift tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is illegal for minors under the age of 18 years to gift, sell and consume tobacco products.[199]
The minimum age was 15 years prior to September 28th 2004.
No minimum age prior to March 9th 1998.[200]

 Bulgaria
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years.[201]

 Croatia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors. It is the responsibility of any salesperson to ensure that no tobacco is sold to minors and therefore to request an ID to make sure that the purchaser is at least 18 years of age. Minors may not sell tobacco products.[202]

 Cyprus
None
18
It is illegal to sell or otherwise provide tobacco products to a minor.
"(…)any person who provides a tobacco product to a minor is guilty of offense and in any case of his/her conviction, he/she shall be subject to a penalty not exceeding one thousand pounds or to incarceration not exceeding six months and/or to both penalties."[203]

 Czech Republic
None
18
Selling tobacco products to anyone under 18 is prohibited. Sale of tobacco products and tobacco through vending machines is permitted if the tobacco purchase age is not violated. The seller shall place a clearly visible notice displaying the sale restrictions of tobacco to person under the age of 18. A person selling tobacco must be 18 years or older, unless the minor is preparing for a future career in the hotel or tourism industry, as a cook-waiter or salesman. However, it is very easy to get tobacco products for minors as many sellers don't check the age.[204]
The minimum age was 16 years prior to September 2nd 1999.[205]

 Denmark
None
18
The minimum age was 16 years prior to September 1st 2008.[206]

 Estonia
18
The minimum age to purchase tobacco products or to smoke in public is set at 18. Minors may not be in possession of, or handle tobacco products.[207]

 Finland
18
Prior to October 2010 it was not illegal for minors to smoke in public.
The minimum age was 16 years prior to March 1st 1995.[208]

 France
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Minors under the age of 18 years may not smoke in any school or on school property.[209] Vending machines outside a tobacco shop is prohibited.
Prior to 21 July 2009 the minimum age to purchase tobacco products was 16 years of age.

 Georgia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors under the age of 18.[210]

 Germany
18
The Protection of Young Persons Act states that children and young people under 18 years of age shall not be sold tobacco pruducts nor should they be permitted to smoke in public. This does not apply to married adolescents.[211]
Minimum age was 18 from June 10th 1943 until January 1st 1952.[212]
Minimum age was 16 from January 1st 1952 to September 1st 2007.[213]

 Gibraltar
18
It is illegal to sell and furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Any police officer may confiscate tobacco from a minor in public.[214]
The minimum age was 16 years prior to July 7th 2006.[215]

 Greece
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to minors.[216]

 Hungary
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. It is illegal to smoke under the age of 18. The sale of tobacco is prohibited within 200 m of schools and health care units.

 Iceland
None
18
It is illegal to sell or deliver tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Minors may not handle or sell tobacco products.[217]
No minimum age prior to January 1st 1985.
The minimum age was 16 years from January 1st 1985 to October 1st 1996.[218]

 Ireland
18
The sale of tobacco to persons under 18 is illegal. It is illegal to buy or smoke cigarettes if you are under the age of 18.[219]
The minimum age was 16 years prior to March 27th 2002.[220]

 Italy
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. Violation is punished with a fine between €250.00 and €1000.00. If the law is violated more than once the fine is increased to €500.00 and €2,000.00 and a revocation of the tobacco license for at least 3 months.[221][222]

Minimum age for electronic cigarettes was 16 prior to May 1st 2013.[223]

 Kosovo*
None
[224]

 Latvia
None
18
The sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 is prohibited.[225]

 Liechtenstein
16
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to possess or consume tobacco products.[226]

 Lithuania
18
No minimum age to smoke prior to May 1st 2015.

 Luxembourg
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years.[227][228]
No minimum age prior to January 1st 2006.
Minimum purchase age increased from 16 to 18 on 1 August 2017.

 Macedonia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.[229]

 Malta
None
18
"No person shall sell, supply or distribute by way of compensation or otherwise, any cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, tobacco products or smoking requisites to any person who is under the age of 18 years, or in any manner induce such person to smoke."[230]

 Moldova
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18 years.[231]

 Montenegro
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. A poster with the sale restrictions must be placed at point of sale.[232]

 Netherlands
None
18
The sale of tobacco to persons under 18 is illegal.[233] Smoking of tobacco is prohibited by law in all public buildings and in public transport. As of 1 January 2004 every employee has the right to work in a smoke-free environment. All forms of tobacco advertising, promotion or sponsorship are prohibited. Smoking remains prevalent in the Netherlands despite these efforts. Tobacco can be bought at every supermarket and at other stores.

 Norway
None
18
(No age limit for use of tobacco but no sales of cigarettes or Swedish snus to people under 18 by law.[234] Vending machines are only allowed when they are cited inside an approved store, with a demand of buying a receipt from the cashier first.[234] and imitation tobacco products are not allowed. Cigarette commercials are also strictly forbidden by law. As of June 2004, smoking is prohibited in all public places, including restaurants, pubs and work places.)

 Poland
None
18
Minors are not allowed to buy tobacco products.[235]

 Portugal
18
It is illegal to sell or give any tobacco product to a minor as well as the consumption of a tobacco product in any public place by a minor. There is a proposition to ban vending machines in places accessible to people younger than 18.[236]
Minimum age was 16 prior to January 1st 2008.

 Romania
None
18
There is a ban on sale of tobacco to those younger than 18. Vending machines selling tobacco are banned. There is no minimum legal age of smoking.

 Russia
None
18
Retail sales of tobacco products to any person under the age of 18 years are an offence.[237]

 Serbia
None
18
The sale to persons under 18 is prohibited. Contrary to that, a lot of salesmen sell cigarettes to minors in Serbia. Acquiring tobacco products is very easy for minors despite the law.

 Slovakia
None
18
Tobacco sales to under 18 year olds are prohibited.[238]

 Slovenia
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. ID-Card or passport has to be shown if requested.[239]

 Spain
None
18
It is illegal to sell any tobacco product or other smoking substances (e.g. electronic cigarettes) to a person under the age of 18 years.[240]
Minimum age was 16 in most regions prior to January 1st 2006.

 Sweden
None
18
It is illegal to sell or commercially distribute tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.[241]
No minimum age prior to January 1st 1997.

  Switzerland

Regulations by canton:

States/territories
Smoking age
Purchase age
Notes

 Aargau
None
16
It is an offence to sell or supply (except for Parents) any tobacco product to a person under 16 years of age.[242]

 Appenzell Ausserrhoden
None
16
It is an offence to sell or supply any tobacco product to a person under 16 years of age.[243]

 Appenzell Innerrhoden
None
No cantonal regulation towards sale and supply of tobacco products to minors.[244]

 Basel-Landschaft
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 18 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[245]

 Basel-Stadt
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 18 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[246]

 Bern
None
18 (to enter smoking facility or premises)
18
Selling or giving any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 18 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[247]

 Fribourg
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 16 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[248]

 Geneva
None
No cantonal regulation towards sale and supply of tobacco products to minors.[244]

 Glarus
None
16
Selling any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 16 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[249]

 Graubünden
None
16
[250]

 Jura
None
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a minor.[251]

 Luzern
None
16
Selling any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful.[252]

 Neuchâtel
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[253]

 Nidwalden
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[254]

 Obwalden
None
No cantonal regulation towards sale and supply of tobacco products to minors.[244]

 Schaffhausen
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[244]

 Schwyz
None
No cantonal regulation towards sale and supply of tobacco products to minors.[244]

 Solothurn
None
16
Selling any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful.[255]

 St. Gallen
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 16 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[256]

 Thurgau
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 16 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[257]

 Ticino
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[244]

 Uri
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful.[258]

 Valais
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. Currently the cantonal government is planning to raise the minimum age to 18 years.[259]

 Vaud
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[260]

 Zug
None
18
Selling any tobacco product to a minor is unlawful.[261]

 Zürich
None
16
Selling or supplying any tobacco product to a person under the age of 16 is unlawful. If a customer appears to be under the age of 16 years the salesperson must check a valid ID.[262]

 Turkey
None
18

 Ukraine
14
18

 United Kingdom
16
18
 England and  Wales:
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.[263] The minimum age to smoke in public is 16 and authorities have the duty to seize any tobacco or cigarette papers in the possession of any person apparently under the age of 16.[264]
Minimum age to purchase was 16 from 1908 to October 1st 2007.
No Minimum age prior 1908.

18
 Scotland:
A person who sells a tobacco product or cigarette papers to a person under the age of 18 commits an offence. Any person under the age of 18 who buys or attempts to buy a tobacco product or cigarette papers commits an offence as well as an adult who knowlingly buys a tobacco product or cigarette papers on behalf of a person under the age of 18.[265] Any constable who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person in a public place is under the age of 18, and in possession of a tobacco product or cigarette papers may require the person to surrender the tobacco product.[266]
Minimum age was 16 prior to September 30th 2007.

18
Northern Ireland:
A person who sells to a person under the age of 18 any tobacco or cigarette papers, whether for his own use or not, shall be guilty of an offence. A member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland may seize any tobacco or cigarette papers in the possession of any person apparently under the age of 18 whom he finds smoking in any street or public place.[267]
Minimum age was 16 prior to September 1st 2008.

text: Disputed

text: Oceania[edit]

text:
Country
De jure
Notes

Smoking age
Purchase age

 Australia

Regulations by state/territory:

Province/territory
Smoking age
Purchase age
Notes

 Australian Capital Territory
None
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 years.[268] Further it is illegal to buy a tobacco product for a minor.[269]

 New South Wales
None
18
It is illegal to sell any tobacco or non-tobacco smoking product to a person who is under the age of 18 years.[270]

 Northern Territory
None
18
It is illegal to sell any tobacco product to a minor or on behalf of a minors. It is illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a person under the age of 18 years present.[271][272]

 Queensland
None
18
It is illegal for an adult to supply a tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years; however, a responsible adult for a child does not commit an offence by supplying a smoking product to the child.[273]

 South Australia
None
18
It is an offence to supply any tobacco product to a person under the age of 18 years.[274]

 Tasmania
None
18
It is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.
Minimum age was 16 prior to January 1st 1997.[275]

 Victoria
None
18
It is illegal to supply tobacco to a minor. Smoking in a vehicle with a person under 18 present is an offence.[276]

 Western Australia
None
18
It is illegal to sell, deliver or supply tobacco or smoking implement to a minor. Purchase on behalf of people under 18 prohibited.[277][278]

 Fiji
None
18
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco to a minor.[279]

 Micronesia, Federated States of
18
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco to a minor.

 New Zealand
None
18
It is illegal to sell and supply tobacco to a minor.
No minimum age prior to 1903.
Minimum age of 15 years from 1903 to 1988.
Minimum age of 16 years from 1988 to 1998.[280][281]

 Palau
None
18
21 (Only rolling papers and elaus)
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 years. If the purchaser appears to be under the age of 30 years, ID must be checked before sale. It is illegal to employ anyone under the age of 21 handling tobacco products. It is illegal to sell rolling papers and elaus to anyone under the age of 21 years.[282]

 Papua New Guinea
None
18
It is illegal to sell or give tobacco to a person under the age of 18 years.[283]

 Samoa
21
It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 21 years. It is not illegal for a person under the age of 21 years to possess or smoke tobacco in public.[284]

 Solomon Islands
None
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco to a minor.[285]

 Tonga
None
18
It is illegal to sell, give or otherwise supply tobacco to a minor.[286]

 Tokelau
16
It is illegal for a person under 16 to smoke tobacco.[287]

 Vanuatu
18
It is illegal to sell tobacco to a persons under 18. It is illegal for persons under 18 to smoke tobacco.[288]

text: Historical regulations[edit]

text:
Minimum age to purchase tobacco in Europe as of 1995:
  Minimum age is 18
  Minimum age is 16
  No minimum age

Minimum age to purchase tobacco in the United States as of 1989:[289]
  Minimum age is 19
  Minimum age is 18
  Minimum age is 17
  Minimum age is 16
  No minimum age