Effective Jan 1, 2016, the Department of the Navy will enact a policy that complies with the new Hawaii state law that raises the minimum age to purchase, possess, or consume a tobacco product from 18 to 21 years of age.

The new law will also make it illegal to sell or furnish a tobacco product in any shape or form to anyone under 21.

According to NAVADMIN 298/15, and MARADMIN 649/15, the Department of the Navy-owned or controlled property located in the State of Hawaii is subject to concurrent jurisdiction. Hawaii State laws, civil and criminal, apply on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), and other Department of the Navy-owned or controlled property in Hawaii. Hawaii state and local police have the authority to enforce state law in areas of concurrent jurisdiction.

The Hawaii state law does not apply to personnel or transactions while aboard U.S. naval vessels due to federal jurisdiction laws.

Department of the Navy military personnel, family members, residents, and guests on Navy installations and facilities are already expected to comply with applicable law. Those who may be cited by state and local police for violations of Hawaii's new tobacco laws are subject to fines and community service.

Additionally, the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters Marine Corps, as a matter of policy to comply with the new Hawaii state law, have directed all shore-based Navy and Marine Corps Exchange sales activities in Hawaii to cease the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, effective 1 January 2016.

Tobacco cessation is a priority of the Department of the Navy, critical to the health, fitness, wellbeing, and readiness of Navy-Marine Corps personnel.

More information on tobacco cessation resources can be found at www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/health-promotion/tobacco-free-living/Pages/tobacco-cessation-health-educators.aspx.