(WFLA/NBC) – Walgreens is strengthening its policies related to tobacco sales.
The drugstore chain announced Tuesday that it will start requiring customers to be at least 21-years-old to purchase tobacco products in its stores nationwide.
The measure comes just weeks after FDA officials called the drugstore chain one of the top violators for allegedly selling cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to minors.
Walgreens says it believes this step can further reduce tobacco use among teens and young adults.
The new policy will go into effect Sept. 1.
Rival drug store chain CVS stopped selling all tobacco products in 2014.
Plans are also underway in Congress to introduce legislation that raises the minimum age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21 nationally.