NC among last states without age 21 tobacco sales law

While the minimum age to purchase tobacco products is 21 across the US under federal law, North Carolina is one of just a few states that has yet to align state tobacco laws with the 2019 federal regulation.

State lawmakers want to see action on legislation that would regulate vape retailers and raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine products to 21 — aligning North Carolina with nearly every other in the nation.

According to CDC data, only eight states have yet to raise their minimum tobacco sales age to 21: Alaska, Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

House Bill 430 and Senate Bill 318, collectively known as “Solly’s Law,” were introduced in March but have yet to be heard in committee. The legislation would require all tobacco and vape retailers in North Carolina to obtain a retail sales permit and comply with enforcement and training requirements overseen by the Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division.

Rep. Donnie Loftis, R-Gaston, held a press conference this week to advocate for actions on his bill.

“We have waited patiently for these bills to be assigned to the appropriate committee,” Loftis said during this week’s press conference. “These bills are important and need to be fully discussed and voted on through the committee process.”

Because the proposals include a funding component, they are not subject to the legislature’s May 8 crossover deadline, meaning they remain eligible for consideration this session.

Supporters say the regulatory framework would close loopholes allowing thousands of unlicensed vape shops to operate with little oversight.

“I am aware of support for just raising the age only,” Loftis added. “However, enforcing the other half of the bill is just as critically important in preventing more teens from getting addicted, or far worse, dying from vaping.”

Speakers included students, educators, public health professionals — and a grieving parent.

Charlene Zorn, the stepmother of Solomon, whose death from vaping-related complications nearly two years ago inspired the legislation, gave an emotional plea for legislative action.

“717 days ago, my stepson died because of vaping,” she said. “This Thursday would have been Solomon’s 17th birthday. Instead of planning a birthday celebration, I’m standing here talking to you about my son and the problems we have with youth vaping and nicotine in North Carolina.”

Zorn described Solomon as a healthy, athletic teen with no underlying medical conditions. She said it wasn’t until after his death that she learned how deeply vaping had affected his lungs.

Under Solly’s Law, businesses already licensed through alcohol or lottery sales would be covered at no additional cost. Unlicensed vape shops would pay a $400 annual fee, which would fund enforcement, inspections, and training.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a bill that would make life better for all North Carolinians, more than this bill,” said Josh Dobson, president of the North Carolina Health Care Association. “Tobacco, be it from smoking or now vaping, is still the number one preventable cause of early illness, chronic disease, disability, and death in North Carolina and our country. It is time to do something about it, and this bill is a good place to start.”

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