Major Changes To Walmart’s Tobacco Policy

Walmart announced that they are increasing the minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21 starting July 1 at all of its stores nationwide and will stop selling fruit and dessert-flavored e-cigarettes.

According the CNBC: "The FDA threatened to fine Walmart and other national retailers for illegally selling tobacco products to minors. Walmart had a violation rate of about 17%, the FDA said at the time."

Walmart published the policy changes on their website with a note that said: "While we have implemented a robust compliance program, we are not satisfied with falling short of our company-wide goal of 100% compliance. Even a single sale to a minor is one too many, and we take seriously our responsibilities in this regard. So today, we sent a letter back to the FDA outlining additional measures we’re taking to keep tobacco out of the hands of minors."

You can read the letter the company sent to the FDA outlining the changes, here.