web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close

Sale to Minor Complaint

    •   Related links
    NYC311 Home Report Problems Look Up Service Requests Browse Topics
    Call 911

    Call 911 to report an illegal sale to a minor in progress.

    Need something else?

    It's illegal to sell certain products to anyone under 21.

    ItemAge Restriction
    Box cutterUnder 18
    E-cigarette productsUnder 21
    Etching acidUnder 18
    Laser pointerUnder 19
    Spray paintUnder 18
    Tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products*Under 21

    *Please see a full list of products in Tobacco or Smoking Product Complaints below.

    You can report the sale of these items to minors.

    What Happens Next

    If you don't include your address or email with your Service Request, you won't receive follow up. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will consider your complaint a tip.

    If you include your address, DCWP will mail you a complaint form. You must complete and return it to DCWP. If you provide your email address, you'll get the form by email instead. Check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox.

    Report the sale of box cutters to anyone under 18 by a:

    The content action "Art supply store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Bodega, deli, or convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Car wash" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Department store or megastore" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Drug store or pharmacy" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Electronics store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Gas station convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "General vendor" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Hardware store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Newsstand" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Supermarket or grocery store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    You can’t sell e-cigarette products and component parts, such as a cartridge or refill, to anyone under 21.

    The content action "Report the sale of e-cigarette products to someone under 21." does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    Report the sale of etching acid to anyone under 18 by a:

    The content action "Art supply store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Car wash" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Department store or megastore" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Gas station convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Hardware store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    Report the sale of laser pointers to anyone under 19 by a:

    The content action "Art supply store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Bodega, deli, or convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Car wash" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Department store or megastore" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Drug store or pharmacy" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Electronics store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Gas station convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "General vendor" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Hardware store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Newsstand" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Office supply or stationery store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Pet store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Supermarket or grocery store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    Report the sale of spray paint to anyone under 18 by a:

    The content action "Art supply store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Car wash" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Department store or megastore" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Drug store or pharmacy" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Electronics store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Gas station convenience store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "General vendor" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Hardware store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Newsstand" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The content action "Supermarket or grocery store" does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    You can’t sell these products to anyone under 21:

    • Products containing tobacco, including:
      • Cigarettes
      • Little cigars
      • Cigars
      • Shisha
      • Chewing tobacco
      • Powdered tobacco
      • Snus
      • Bidis
      • Gutka
    • Products used for smoking but do not contain tobacco, including:
      • Herbal cigarettes
      • Non-tobacco shisha
      • Pipes
      • Rolling paper
      • Water pipes
      • Hookah
      • Vaporizer
      • Anything else designed to inhale tobacco

    Sellers must post an Age Restriction Sign, which is a white card with red letters stating the rules. Pharmacists and businesses that contain pharmacies are no longer allowed to sell smoking and vaping products.

    The content action "Report the sale of tobacco products to minors." does not have a problem type that is supported by a service request form.

    The Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH) accepts reports of shisha products sold to minors.

    The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can help you with complaints about businesses in New York City. For complaints about businesses elsewhere, contact the local consumer affairs office or the State Attorney General.

    Online

    Learn how to file a complaint about a business outside of NYC.

    By Phone

    • Agency: Nassau County Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (516) 571-2600
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (631) 853-4600
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
    • Phone Number: (914) 995-2155
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Agency: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
    • Phone Number: (973) 504-6200
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

     Was this information helpful?   Yes    No