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2003 SESSION


VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER
An Act to amend and reenact § 18.2-371.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to prohibiting attempted purchase of tobacco products by minors.
[H 1403]
Approved

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-371.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-371.2. Prohibiting purchase or possession of tobacco products by minors or sale of tobacco products to minors.

A. No person shall sell to, distribute to, purchase for or knowingly permit the purchase by any person less than eighteen 18 years of age, knowing or having reason to believe that such person is less than eighteen 18 years of age, any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, and bidis. Tobacco products may be sold from a vending machine only if the machine is (i) posted with a notice, in a conspicuous manner and place, indicating that the purchase or possession of tobacco products by minors is unlawful and (ii) located in a place which is not open to the general public and is not generally accessible to minors. An establishment which prohibits the presence of minors unless accompanied by an adult is not open to the general public.

B. No person less than eighteen 18 years of age shall attempt to purchase, purchase or possess any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, and bidis. The provisions of this subsection shall not be applicable to the possession of tobacco products by a person less than eighteen 18 years of age making a delivery of tobacco products in pursuance of his employment.

This subsection shall not apply to purchase, attempt to purchase or possession by a law-enforcement officer or his agent when the same is necessary in the performance of his duties.

C. No person shall sell a tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, and bidis, to any individual who does not demonstrate, by producing a driver's license or similar photo identification issued by a government agency, that the individual is at least eighteen 18 years of age. Such identification is not required from an individual whom the person has reason to believe is at least eighteen 18 years of age or who the person knows is at least eighteen 18 years of age. Proof that the person demanded, was shown, and reasonably relied upon a photo identification stating that the individual was at least eighteen 18 years of age shall be a defense to any action brought under this subsection. In determining whether a person had reason to believe an individual is at least eighteen 18 years of age, the trier of fact may consider, but is not limited to, proof of the general appearance, facial characteristics, behavior and manner of the individual.

This subsection shall not apply to mail order sales.

D. A violation of subsection A or C by an individual or by a separate retail establishment that involves a tobacco product other than a bidi shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for a first violation, a civil penalty not to exceed $200 for a second violation, and a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for a third or subsequent violation. A violation of subsection A or C by an individual or by a separate retail establishment that involves the sale, distribution or purchase of a bidi shall be punishable by a civil penalty in the amount of $500 for a first violation, a civil penalty in the amount of $1,000 for a second violation, and a civil penalty in the amount of $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation. Where a defendant retail establishment offers proof that it has trained its employees concerning the requirements of this section, the court shall suspend all of the penalties imposed hereunder. However, where the court finds that a retail establishment has failed to so train its employees, the court may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 in lieu of any penalties imposed hereunder for a violation of subsection A or C involving a tobacco product other than a bidi.

A violation of subsection B shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for a first violation and a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for a second or subsequent violation. A court may, as an alternative to the civil penalty, and upon motion of the defendant, prescribe the performance of up to 20 hours of community service for a first violation of subsection B and up to 40 hours of community service for a second or subsequent violation. If the defendant fails or refuses to complete the community service as prescribed, the court may impose the civil penalty. Upon a violation of subsection B, the judge may enter an order pursuant to subdivision 9 of § 16.1-278.8.

Any attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which an alleged violation occurred may bring an action to recover the civil penalty, which shall be paid into the state treasury. Any law-enforcement officer may issue a summons for a violation of subsection A, B, or C.

E. 1. Cigarettes shall be sold only in sealed packages provided by the manufacturer, with the required health warning. The proprietor of every retail establishment which offers for sale any tobacco product, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, and bidis, shall post in a conspicuous manner and place a sign or signs indicating that the sale of tobacco products to any person under eighteen 18 years of age is prohibited by law. Any attorney for the county, city or town in which an alleged violation of this subsection occurred may enforce this subsection by civil action to recover a civil penalty not to exceed fifty dollars $50. The civil penalty shall be paid into the local treasury. No filing fee or other fee or cost shall be charged to the county, city or town which instituted the action.

2. For the purpose of compliance with regulations of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published at 61 Federal Register 1492, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may promulgate regulations which allow the Department to undertake the activities necessary to comply with such regulations.

3. Any attorney for the county, city or town in which an alleged violation of this subsection occurred may enforce this subsection by civil action to recover a civil penalty not to exceed $100. The civil penalty shall be paid into the local treasury. No filing fee or other fee or cost shall be charged to the county, city or town which instituted the action.

F. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private cause of action.

G. Agents of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board designated pursuant to § 4.1-105 may issue a summons for any violation of this section.

H. As used in this section, "bidi" means a product containing tobacco that is wrapped in temburni leaf (diospyros melanoxylon) or tendu leaf (diospyros exculpra), or any other product that is offered to, or purchased by, consumers as a bidi or beedie.