Last updated: February 3, 2023
Tobacco Compliance Check Retailer Violation Report
As of October 1, 2019 – It is against the law to sell ANY tobacco product, including electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, pod-based devices such as JUUL and their e-liquids, and component parts and accessories) to anyone under the age of 21.
To comply with federal and Maryland laws, retailers and clerks must:
- Post an age of sale sign (compliant with the new law).
- Use a driver’s license or government-issued ID to verify customer age.
- Train all staff on tobacco sales procedures and policies to:
- Ask for valid photo ID from everyone under 27. (An employer or school ID is not permitted).
- Check to make sure everyone is at least 21.
- Refuse to sell tobacco and e-cigarette products to everyone under 21.
Under Maryland law, a Tobacco Retailer is responsible for paying the civil penalty issued to store clerks when they have sold tobacco products or an Electronic Smoking Device (ESD) to individuals under 21 years old.
However, in Anne Arundel County, the individual store clerk that has sold tobacco products or an ESD to an individual under the age of 21 is responsible for paying the criminal penalty.
Maryland House Bill (HB) 169, Tobacco 21, specifies that if a person acting on behalf of a retailer violates specified prohibitions against the sale or distribution of tobacco products or ESDs, the retailer must pay the civil penalties, as followed:
- $300 for first violation;
- $1,000 for second violation if within two years of first violation; and
- $3,000 for each subsequent violation within two years of the prior.
The Maryland Department of Health’s Complete Tobacco 21 Toolkit offers materials and tools to train retailers and clerks to remain compliant with youth tobacco sales laws. A few topics include:
- Quick Reference Guide: Explains tobacco sales laws and how to check ID and calculate age.
- ID Guide: Spot fake IDs and determine underage tobacco buyers.
- Product Guide: List of products against the law to sell to minors.
- Comprehensive Law Guide: Details on laws, licensing requirements and regulations.
- Federal and Maryland Law Chart: Legal restrictions of selling tobacco products to individuals under 21.
- Retailer Training Quiz: Test clerks after they have reviewed training materials.
Approximately 865,000 Marylanders use tobacco and electronic smoking devices, most of them starting before age 21. This new law aims to protect over a quarter of a million residents between ages 18 to 20 from developing a nicotine addiction.
To quit or help someone you know stop smoking or vaping, visit Quit Smoking for free smoking cessation tools and resources.
For information about vaping, visit Electronic Cigarettes.
The Department of Health partners with local law enforcement to educate tobacco retailers about the law and conduct compliance checks. Underage shoppers, working with the police, visit retailers and attempt to purchase. If retailers ask for ID and refuse the sale, they pass. If retailers make the sale to the underage customer, they fail and receive a Tobacco and ENDS Criminal Citation – Criminal Law 10-107.
The following retailer(s) failed a compliance check:
| Name/Address | Date of Violation |
|---|---|
|
7 Eleven, 7753 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie |
1/22/23 |
|
Tobacco Hut, 6 Ritchie Plaza, Pasadena |
1/22/23 |
|
Marathon Gas, 8249 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena |
1/15/23 |
|
Transit Truck Stop, 8400 Veterans Highway, Millersville |
1/14/23 |
|
Exxon, 4459 Mountain Road, Pasadena |
1/11/23 |
|
Sam’s Tobacco Shop, 4315 Mountain Road, Pasadena |
1/11/23 |
|
Giant Gas, 4305 Mountain Road, Pasadena |
1/11/23 |
|
Smoke N Vapes, 2135 Defense Highway, Suite 3, Crofton |
1/8/23 |
|
Exxon, 111 Mitchells Chance Road, Edgewater |
1/7/23 |
|
Walgreens, 3106 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater |
1/7/23 |
|
7-Eleven, 3080 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater |
1/7/23 |
|
Smoke X, 354 Mountain Road, Suite H, Pasadena |
1/4/23 |
|
Smoke & Vape, 2708 Mountain Road, Pasadena |
1/4/23 |
|
Shell, 1356 Dorsey Road, Hanover |
1/3/23 |
|
Exxon, 7043 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover |
1/3/23 |
|
Highs, 2861 Jessup Road, Jessup |
1/3/23 |
|
7-Eleven, 3226 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater |
12/29/22 |
|
Quick Save Mart, 524 Defense Highway, Annapolis |
12/29/22 |
|
Shell, 2056 West Street, Annapolis |
12/29/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 1334 Defense Highway, Unit J, Gambrills |
12/28/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 2046 Davidsonville Road, Crofton |
12/28/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 2129 Defense Highway, Crofton |
12/28/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 7179 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie |
12/18/22 |
|
Carroll, 7281 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie |
12/18/22 |
|
Carroll, 7059 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, Glen Burnie |
12/17/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 5617 Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn |
12/8/22 |
|
American Gas, 5502 Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn |
12/8/22 |
|
Exxon, 402 Camp Meade Road, Linthicum |
12/8/22 |
|
AAA + Tobacco, 30 E Ordnance Road, Glen Burnie |
12/8/22 |
|
7-Eleven, 8930 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena |
12/4/22 |
|
Carroll, 8845 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena |
12/4/22 |
|
Exxon, 2069 West Street, Annapolis |
12/3/22 |
|
Exxon, 402 Camp Meade Road, Linthicum |
12/1/22 |