Even though a new law is now in effect in Springfield that limits the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes to those 21 and older, it won’t be immediately enforced, according to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
City Council approved Tobacco 21 Monday night.
Health department officials say the intent of this ordinance is to prevent young people from smoking. According to the Institutes of Medicine, 96 percent of current smokers started smoking before the age of 21.
According to the health department, for now they’ll focus on educating retailers and the public on the new requirements, not immediate enforcement. The goal, it says, is to provide adequate time to educate and create awareness around the new ordinance before any tickets are issued.
A Frequently Asked Questions page about the ordinance is now on the health department’s website.
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