As of December 20, 2019, the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products in the United States is 21 years old. This means that it is illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes, to anyone under 21 years old. The new federal minimum age of sale applies to all retail establishments and persons with no exceptions. Prior to this, the minimum legal age to purchase or use tobacco products varied by country and state. However, most countries have laws that forbid the sale of tobacco products to persons younger than certain ages, usually the age of majority.