Walgreens will raise the age to buy tobacco products to 21 on Sept. 1, up from 18 in most states, as the pharmacy retail giant faces pressure from the FDA, activists and investors, according to CNBC.
The policy will be effective at all of its stores nationwide, according to the company.
The policy comes after the FDA placed Walgreens on notice in February for selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors. Walgreens was the top violator of selling tobacco products to underage customers among pharmacies that sell tobacco products, according to the agency.
"We've seen positive results from other recent efforts to strengthen our policies related to tobacco sales and believe this next step can be even more impactful to reduce its use among teens and young adults," Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of operations, told CNBC.
A dozen states already have raised the minimum buying age.
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