The new purchasing age, which will go into effect July 1, comes as the retailer faces pressure from the FDA to curb sales of tobacco to minors.
In April the FDA threatened to fine more than a half-dozen convenience store chains, including Walmart, Kroger and Family Dollar, for illegally selling tobacco products to minors.
As a result, Walmart is taking several steps to prevent minors from buying tobacco, including upgrading its age-verification training and eliminating the sale of fruit- and dessert-flavored e-cigarettes.
Walgreens and Rite Aid already announced plans to raise their minimum-age restrictions to buy tobacco.
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