If you’re not 21, you can’t buy tobacco, e-cigs at area giant retailer

Eighteen to 20-year-old adults will no longer be able to buy tobacco products at Walmart.

The company announced Wednesday that it will stop selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21 beginning July 1. All Walmart and Sam’s Clubs will also discontinue sales of fruit- and dessert-flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems, said John Scudder, the company’s U.S. chief compliance and ethics officer.

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Walmart Inc. received a letter from the Food and Drug Administration about its policies to prevent tobacco and nicotine sales to minors. The company has a “robust compliance program,” but fell short of 100 percent compliance, Scudder said.

“Even a single sale to a minor is one too many, and we take seriously our responsibilities in this regard,” he said.

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In 2018, Walmart passed 94 percent of its 2,400 FDA checks and Sam’s Club passed 100 percent of 15 FDA checks, according to a letter sent from the company to the FDA.

Ohio governor Mike Dewine has asked Ohio lawmakers to raise the purchase age for tobacco and vape products to 21, aiming to reduce youth smoking and nicotine addiction.

Federal lawmakers are also considering the topic.

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