HB 2099 -- Possession of Tobacco Products by Minors

Co-Sponsors:  Gaskill, Secrest

This bill imposes penalties for the possession of tobacco
products by minors.  The bill prohibits the purchase, attempt to
purchase, or possession of tobacco products by persons less than
18 years old.

The bill requires that tobacco products be confiscated from
minors in violation, and minors must attend an anti-tobacco
program, if available.  In addition, for the first violation,
minors must serve 16 hours community service or pay a $25 fine,
and their drivers' licenses must be suspended for 10 days.  For
a second violation, the penalty is 25 hours or a $50 fine, with
a driver's license suspension of 30 days.  Third and subsequent
violations within 12 weeks of the first violation are penalized
with 50 hours community service or a $100 fine and driver's
license suspension for 6 months.

The bill also makes elementary and secondary students in
possession of tobacco products on school property subject to
detention, suspension, or expulsion.  Schools are required to
post signs indicating that possession of tobacco products is
prohibited.