Tobacco Enforcement & Youth Education
The primary goal of the State’s Tobacco Enforcement program is to decrease youth access to tobacco.
Behavioral Health includes the Tobacco Enforcement & Youth Education program that works directly in communities across Alaska to reduce youth access to tobacco, e-cigarette and nicotine products from retailers. This program monitors the compliance of retail outlets statewide. Tobacco Investigators conduct retail compliance checks using underage persons. In addition to monitoring and compliance checks; investigators provide retailers with technical assistance, a
retail certification program, educational classes on the state tobacco laws, e-cigarette and nicotine products laws and training in how to avoid selling to minors. Investigators also work with National, State and local tobacco control partners. Tobacco Enforcment investigators help to enforce the
Smoke-free Workplace Law.
This is accomplished through:
- Enforcement of Alaska’s tobacco law’s to obtain retailer compliance.
- Educating tobacco store owners, clerks, tobacco distributors, community members and police officers.
- Partnering with other state agencies.
- Partnering with Tobacco Control Community grantees.
- Partnering with Public Health, Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (TPC).
These activities are conducted by State Tobacco Enforcement Investigators.
Retailers who violate the law face serious penalties. They can be fined, and if convicted, their authorization to sell can be suspended.
The Tobacco Enforcement Program is headed by Chief Investigator Joe Darnell.
For additional information, or to report the unlawful sale of tobacco to a person under 19 years of age or other unlawful tobacco sales practices, contact:
State of Alaska
Tobacco Enforcement Program
P.O. Box 110620
Juneau, AK 99811
HSS.DBH.Tobacco@alaska.gov
Vendors are recommended to follow both the Alaska law and the Federal Tobacco 21 law.
The federal law is enforced by the Food and Drug Administration.
How to report potential violations online
Call: 877-287-1373
Email: CTPComplianve@FDA.hss.gov
Tobacco Retail Information
Information for Tobacco Product Retailers
Federal law and policy affect tobacco product retailers in Alaska. To keep Alaskans informed, this page is updated with the most current information.
Tobacco 21: Age to Purchase Tobacco Products
The Alaska Business Licensing Act, located at Title 43, chapter 70 of the Alaska Statutes, requires a business license endorsement for each location where tobacco products, electronic smoking products, or nicotine products are sold. This used to be known as a “tobacco endorsement.” The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business, & Professional Licensing issues endorsements to businesses.
On December 20, 2019, federal law was changed to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products to age 21.
After reviewing the federal law, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development determined that: “The minimum age to buy tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or products containing nicotine is now 21; it is unlawful for any retailer to sell tobacco products, electronic smoking products, or products containing nicotine to any person younger than 21 years of age,” even though Alaska state law lists the minimum age as 19.
This determination and other helpful information about business licensing requirements and tobacco sales can be found at the
Business Licensing - Endorsement frequently asked questions (FAQs) page.
- How to comply with the newly mandated Federal Tobacco 21 Law:
- Find out about: