Bladen County endorses Tobacco 21 resolution amid warning of federal funding risk

Katie Evans, resource coordinator for the Bladen County Health Department, told commissioners the county and its partners support a Tobacco 21 resolution to raise the minimum legal sales age to 21 and to require proof of age and retailer licensing.

Evans said public health partners are concerned that North Carolina could lose federal block grant funding “for prevention, treatment, and recovery services,” and she said the federal enforcement tied to the funding began in December 2025. "North Carolina risks losing $5 million in block grant funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services," she said.

Evans also described gaps in North Carolina’s current oversight: the state is one of eight without a tobacco retailer licensing system, which she said helps track sales, hold noncompliant retailers accountable and protect law‑abiding businesses.

A commissioner moved to approve the resolution supporting Tobacco 21 and associated measures; the board approved the motion by voice vote without a recorded roll‑call tally. Speakers noted the resolution had been vetted and supported by multiple local and state boards, including the Bladen County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee and the county substance misuse task force.

The board’s action endorses the resolution and copies of supporting materials were included in the commissioners’ packet, with local partners asked to brief other advisory groups in coming weeks.