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Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA)

Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA)

The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) enforces Article 13-F of the NYS Public Health Law, also known as the Adolescent Tobacco-Use Prevention Act (ATUPA). 

ATUPA was created to help prevent the sale of tobacco products and accessories to anyone under the age of 21. Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, bidis, chewing tobacco and powdered tobacco, rolling papers, smoking paraphernalia, or any other tobacco products. ATUPA has been amended to also prohibit the sale of vapor products, including electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine, to anyone under the age of 21. ATUPA also bans all flavors of vapor products except tobacco flavor.

The ECDOH ensures that facilities are properly registered, that proper signage regarding the sale of tobacco products to minors is conspicuously posted and that tobacco products are properly and safely stored to prevent access to unauthorized individuals.  Additionally, at least one compliance check per year with underage youth is done at each facility where tobacco products are available for sale, to verify that such products are not being sold to minors.  New York State law requires the name and address of Retail Tobacco Dealers in violation of Article 13-F be made public.   Sale of tobacco to minors    

Free Tobacco and Vapor Product Sales Training Classes for Retailers

This FREE 3 hour class is for retailers who sell tobacco & vapor products.

The ECDOH recommends that all retail staff take this in-person course, especially those that work at the point of sale.  Each individual certification is valid for 3 years. During that time, a violation of a sale to an underage person may result in a one point assessment.

Class topics include health consequences of tobacco use, NYS Public Health Law, types of products, signage requirements, proof of age requirements, enforcement & penalties & advertising requirements.

Register Here for Free Tobacco and Vapor Product Sales Training Class for Retailers.  If you prefer, you can print and mail this PDF form.  If you have additional questions, please call (716) 961-6800 or send an email to environmental.health@erie.gov.  

Smoking and Vaping Information and Resources 

Contact 

Environmental Health Division
503 Kensington Ave
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 961-6800
Fax: (716) 961-6880

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