Walmart is raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products and e-cigarettes at its U.S. stores to 21, amid pressure from regulators to cut tobacco sales and use among minors. The world’s largest retailer also said it will also stop selling fruit and dessert flavored e-cigarettes, which critics say can hook teenagers on vaping.
The new rules will take effect in July at all its 5,300 U.S. stores, including its Sam’s Club warehouse locations. Previously, Walmart’s minimum purchase age was 18, aside from a number of states where the legal age is 21.