On February 5, 2020, the Lebanon City Council passed the Tobacco 21 ordinance #2020-01, which prohibits the sale or distribution of any tobacco product or tobacco equipment to a person under 21 years of age. This ordinance is effective immediately.
This ordinance includes cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products, and vaping products that contain nicotine.
We are sharing our press release, as well as Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital’s release, as part of a public awareness campaign. The public awareness campaign will be followed by enforcing the Tobacco 21 ordinance, where violating establishments will be subject to civil penalties. The civil penalty amount is $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 for any subsequent offenses.
The City of Lebanon joins six other New Hampshire towns and cities with Tobacco 21 ordinances. In December 2019, a new federal law changed the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21 years of age, however enforcement and penalty regulations are not expected to be made for another six to nine months.
Authorized by: Chief Richard R. Mello
Date: 2/19/2020