Our Las Vegas Personal Injury lawyer team previously wrote about the legalities of purchasing cigarettes online in our ongoing segment, Is It Legal?. Now, we’re asking whether or not it’s legal for minors to smoke.
It’s fundamentally understood that minors are NOT allowed to legally buy cigarettes or tobacco, whether it be online or at the corner store. However, in most states (Nevada NOT included), there are NO specific laws prohibiting a minor from actually smoking a cigarette.
That was the case in Nevada up until 2013 when Governor Sandoval signed Senate Bill 177 into law, prohibiting smoking or possessing tobacco products by anyone under the age of 18. This anti-teen smoking bill that fines minors $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second and $75 for a third offense. Following the third strike, the minor could also be subject to up to 90-day suspension of their driver’s license (or a delay in being issued one).
There are also non-smoking facilities and designated areas, that, according to Nevada state law, if you light up, police can get involved and a person (minor or not) can be charged with a misdemeanor.
There you have it, in many states, it is not illegal for minors to smoke, but in Nevada it is. Still have questions? Contact Parry & Pfau today to schedule a free consultation.
