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by Andrew
on Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:12 pm |
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This is more of a general question as opposed to a specific and personal one, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any definitive sites that list the smoking ages in specific US states. I know (or believe) that it is 18 to buy in the whole country, but I recently had to take a drug education class (for being cited with alcohol - long story) and was told BY THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE TEACHER that the Maryland law for possession/smoking of tobacco was 16 with parental consent. However, I read here that it is 18 to even possess it. My question is why would a government employee lie in our favor? In this class we were often taught the "evils" of smoking etc., so I figured that they would push as much as they can for 18. But she openly told us 16, so I'm genuinely confused. I do think this is a "don't ask, don't tell" thing, because I've smoked many a time in public places and around police officers without ever being questioned (yes, I am under 1 . I was just wondering if anyone knew of a definitive site for the laws?
Thanks.
P.S. - As a side note, does anyone know why Camel Turkish Royals are getting so goddamned hard to find? I emailed RJR asking if they were trying to phase them out or something but don't really expect a prompt response. |
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Andrew
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by irishguyincc
on Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:08 pm |
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Well, as far as I know the legal purchase age for tobacco products is 18 in all states except Alabama, where it is 19. Generally posession of tobacco is not a crime, but a civil offense (meaning you get a fine). The main focus of the law is prohibiting retailers from selling tobacco to minors. That is the area where penalties are harsher and enforcement is more serious.
If a parent was to let an underaged person smoke in their home the underaged person would have little to worry about. However 'consent' would not allow you to be able to purchase tobacco yourself. And technically your parent would be violating the law if they provided you with tobacco. But in reality you wouldn't have much to worry about, since law enforcement only concentrates on the sellers, not the consumers. Unless you live in California or New York. Then I think you get the gas chamber for smoking. |
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irishguyincc
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Joined: Nov 08, 2003
Posts: 163
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by Tom
on Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:10 am |
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That's true. Alabama is the only state I know of that has a age 19 smoking law. Here is your MD possession law.
Quote: Possession or use of tobacco products or cigarette rolling papers by minors is prohibited, except during the course of employment. Obtaining or attempting to obtain a tobacco product or cigarette rolling papers by using a form of identification that is falsified or identifies an individual other than the minor, is prohibited. Violators shall be issued a citation.
Here is my NJ minor posession law. I'm glad for the youth that it still stands as is. Quote: State statutes do not specifically prohibit possession by a minor.
Your law was probably once like the NJ law where you could smoke with parents permission, but it probably recently changes to what it is today. Your teacher probably just wasn't aware of the age. It use to be common knowledge all over that it is only illegal for kids to buy cigrettes, not have them or smoke them; therefore, their parents could legally purchase them for their kids. Now unfortunately that rule of thumb changed in most states.
All this information on all the states' minor posession laws and minimum ages can be found here. http://www.rjrt.com/TI/TIStateLawViewMap.asp Just click on the state and find out all the state information and where you can legally smoke. |
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Tom
Smokers Rights Activist
Joined: Aug 24, 2003
Posts: 961
Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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by Andrew
on Wed Sep 01, 2004 10:28 am |
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| Thanks very much for that, I wasn't asking for fear of being charged or anything, just out of curiosity. It just surprised me that someone whose job it is to inform minors of the law wasn't up-to-date on them. |
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Andrew
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