{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-246.8.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-246.8.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-246.8.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-246.8.html"}],"law_id":68786,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68786,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.8","catch_line":"Age verification requirements","history":"2003, c. 1010; 2019, cc. 90, 102; 2024, cc. 796, 821.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes in connection with a delivery sale unless prior to the first delivery sale to a consumer such person:1\n\nObtains from the prospective consumer a certification that includes (i) a reliable confirmation that the consumer is at least the legal minimum purchase age and (ii) a statement signed by the prospective consumer in writing that certifies the prospective consumer’s address and that the consumer is at least 21 years of age. Such statement shall also confirm (a) that the prospective consumer understands that signing another person’s name to such certification is illegal, (b) that the sale of cigarettes to individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal, and (c) that the purchase of cigarettes by individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal under the laws of the Commonwealth;2\n\nMakes a good faith effort to verify the information contained in the certification provided by the prospective consumer pursuant to subdivision 1 against a commercially available database of valid, government-issued identification that contains the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order, or obtains a photocopy or other image of the valid, government-issued identification stating the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order;3\n\nProvides to the prospective consumer, via email or other means, a notice that meets the requirements of § 18.2-246.9; and4\n\nReceives payment for the delivery sale from the prospective consumer by a credit or debit card that has been issued in such consumer’s name or by a check drawn on the consumer’s account.B\n\n1. Except as provided in \u00a7 58.1-1021.06, if a purchase order for a liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01, is made via the Internet, no person shall make a delivery for such order unless the delivery is to a retail dealer, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01.2\n\nPersons accepting purchase orders made via the Internet for delivery sales may request that prospective consumers provide their email addresses.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248997,"text":"No person shall mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes in connection with a delivery sale unless prior to the first delivery sale to a consumer such person:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":248998,"text":"Obtains from the prospective consumer a certification that includes (i) a reliable confirmation that the consumer is at least the legal minimum purchase age and (ii) a statement signed by the prospective consumer in writing that certifies the prospective consumer’s address and that the consumer is at least 21 years of age. Such statement shall also confirm (a) that the prospective consumer understands that signing another person’s name to such certification is illegal, (b) that the sale of cigarettes to individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal, and (c) that the purchase of cigarettes by individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal under the laws of the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":248999,"text":"Makes a good faith effort to verify the information contained in the certification provided by the prospective consumer pursuant to subdivision 1 against a commercially available database of valid, government-issued identification that contains the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order, or obtains a photocopy or other image of the valid, government-issued identification stating the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":249000,"text":"Provides to the prospective consumer, via email or other means, a notice that meets the requirements of § 18.2-246.9; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":249001,"text":"Receives payment for the delivery sale from the prospective consumer by a credit or debit card that has been issued in such consumer’s name or by a check drawn on the consumer’s account.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":249002,"text":"1. Except as provided in \u00a7 58.1-1021.06, if a purchase order for a liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01, is made via the Internet, no person shall make a delivery for such order unless the delivery is to a retail dealer, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":249003,"text":"Persons accepting purchase orders made via the Internet for delivery sales may request that prospective consumers provide their email addresses.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16303,"edition_id":1,"name":"Cigarette Delivery Sale Requirements","identifier":"10","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13358,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:13:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:13:07","permalink":{"id":165969,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16303,"identifier":"10","token":"18.2\/6\/10","url":"\/18.2\/6\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13358,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Fraud","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":165933,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13358,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/6","url":"\/18.2\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77474,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.10","catch_line":"Shipping requirements","url":"\/18.2-246.10\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.10","metadata":false},{"id":72390,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.11","catch_line":"Registration and reporting requirements","url":"\/18.2-246.11\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.11","metadata":false},{"id":82071,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.12","catch_line":"Collection of taxes","url":"\/18.2-246.12\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.12","metadata":false},{"id":76278,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.13","catch_line":"Civil penalties; penalties","url":"\/18.2-246.13\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.13","metadata":false},{"id":66398,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.14","catch_line":"Counterfeit cigarettes; penalty; civil penalty","url":"\/18.2-246.14\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.14","metadata":false},{"id":71537,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.15","catch_line":"Enforcement","url":"\/18.2-246.15\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.15","metadata":false},{"id":66660,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.6","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/18.2-246.6\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.6","metadata":false},{"id":81826,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.7","catch_line":"Requirements for delivery sales","url":"\/18.2-246.7\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.7","metadata":false},{"id":68786,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.8","catch_line":"Age verification requirements","url":"\/18.2-246.8\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.8","metadata":false},{"id":86235,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.9","catch_line":"Disclosure requirements","url":"\/18.2-246.9\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81826,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.7","catch_line":"Requirements for delivery sales","url":"\/18.2-246.7\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.7","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86235,"structure_id":16303,"section_number":"18.2-246.9","catch_line":"Disclosure requirements","url":"\/18.2-246.9\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.9","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-246.8\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2003. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 1010<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2019, chapters 90<\/a> and 102<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 796<\/a> and 821<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76278,"section_number":"18.2-246.13","catch_line":"Civil penalties; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-246.13\/"},{"id":81826,"section_number":"18.2-246.7","catch_line":"Requirements for delivery sales","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-246.7\/"},{"id":86235,"section_number":"18.2-246.9","catch_line":"Disclosure requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-246.9\/"},{"id":61382,"section_number":"59.1-293.12","catch_line":"Restrictions on the sale of retail tobacco products to minors; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-293.12\/"},{"id":83733,"section_number":"59.1-293.13","catch_line":"Required education for retail dealers and employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-293.13\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86235,"section_number":"18.2-246.9","catch_line":"Disclosure requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-246.9\/"},{"id":73675,"section_number":"58.1-1021.01","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-1021.01\/"},{"id":82919,"section_number":"58.1-1021.06","catch_line":"Delivery sales of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-1021.06\/"}],"permalink":{"id":166003,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68786,"identifier":"18.2-246.8","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.8","url":"\/18.2-246.8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-246.8\/","token":"18.2\/6\/10\/18.2-246.8","dublin_core":{"Title":"Age verification requirements","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-246.8","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes<\/span> in connection with a delivery sale<\/span> unless prior to the first delivery sale<\/span> to a consumer<\/span> such person: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Obtains from the prospective consumer<\/span> a certification that includes (i) a reliable confirmation that the consumer<\/span> is at least the legal minimum purchase age and (ii) a statement signed by the prospective consumer<\/span> in writing that certifies the prospective consumer<\/span>’s address and that the consumer<\/span> is at least 21 years of age. Such statement shall also confirm (a) that the prospective consumer<\/span> understands that signing another person’s name to such certification is illegal, (b) that the sale of cigarettes<\/span> to individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal, and (c) that the purchase of cigarettes<\/span> by individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal under the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Makes a good faith effort to verify the information contained in the certification provided by the prospective consumer<\/span> pursuant to subdivision 1 against a commercially available database of valid, government-issued identification that contains the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order<\/span>, or obtains a photocopy or other image of the valid, government-issued identification stating the date of birth or age of the individual placing the order<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Provides to the prospective consumer<\/span>, via email or other means, a notice that meets the requirements of § 18.2-246.9<\/a>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Receives payment for the delivery sale<\/span> from the prospective consumer<\/span> by a credit or debit card that has been issued in such consumer<\/span>’s name or by a check drawn on the consumer<\/span>’s account. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. Except as provided in \u00a7 58.1-1021.06<\/a>, if a purchase order<\/span> for a liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01<\/a>, is made via the Internet, no person shall make a delivery for such order<\/span> unless the delivery is to a retail dealer, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Persons accepting purchase orders<\/span> made via the Internet for delivery sales<\/span> may request that prospective consumers<\/span> provide their email addresses. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAGE VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (\u00a7 18.2-246.8)\n\nA. No person shall mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes in connection\nwith a delivery sale unless prior to the first delivery sale to a consumer such\nperson:\n\n 1. Obtains from the prospective consumer a certification that includes (i) a\n reliable confirmation that the consumer is at least the legal minimum purchase\n age and (ii) a statement signed by the prospective consumer in writing that\n certifies the prospective consumer’s address and that the consumer is at\n least 21 years of age. Such statement shall also confirm (a) that the\n prospective consumer understands that signing another person’s name to\n such certification is illegal, (b) that the sale of cigarettes to individuals\n under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal, and (c) that the purchase of\n cigarettes by individuals under the legal minimum purchase age is illegal\n under the laws of the Commonwealth;\n\n 2. Makes a good faith effort to verify the information contained in the\n certification provided by the prospective consumer pursuant to subdivision 1\n against a commercially available database of valid, government-issued\n identification that contains the date of birth or age of the individual\n placing the order, or obtains a photocopy or other image of the valid,\n government-issued identification stating the date of birth or age of the\n individual placing the order;\n\n 3. Provides to the prospective consumer, via email or other means, a notice\n that meets the requirements of § 18.2-246.9; and\n\n 4. Receives payment for the delivery sale from the prospective consumer by a\n credit or debit card that has been issued in such consumer’s name or by\n a check drawn on the consumer’s account.\n\nB. 1. Except as provided in \u00a7 58.1-1021.06, if a purchase order for a liquid\nnicotine or nicotine vapor product, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01, is made via\nthe Internet, no person shall make a delivery for such order unless the delivery\nis to a retail dealer, as defined in \u00a7 58.1-1021.01.\n\n 2. Persons accepting purchase orders made via the Internet for delivery sales\n may request that prospective consumers provide their email addresses.\n\nHISTORY: 2003, c. 1010; 2019, cc. 90, 102; 2024, cc. 796, 821.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}