Wait, a teenager can get in trouble for smoking?

TheDude

yes you can get a ticket , most cops don't bother with nuances laws though, and those kind of laws are really a nuances lol.

for teenagers

chill out

That is true. The law states that you can not possess tobacco under 18 years. The police probably don't push the issue because they have more important matters to contend with than looking out for your health. But, if the police have to deal with you for another matter, don't be surprised if they call you on your tobacco possession.

dadcat00759

Yes it is against the law to smoke also under age being that it is a controlled substance.

Josh

Yes of course. It is illegal to buy cigarettes or smoke them, or even possess them if you're under 18. Come on, is it legal to drink under 21 as long you didn't buy it? No. Further, whoever bought them for you can get into trouble for distributing to minors. If cops don't ask you about it's either because you look 18 or they have bigger fish to fry like keeping you from getting killed than worry about stopping you from killing yourself.

Smug Monkey

Underage Smoking is what is considered "small potatoes" in Law Enforcement parlance.

What Cop worth his salt is going to waste time on checking IDs of young looking people who are smoking?
This is largely a parental issue, and in some cases, underrage kids smoke WITH their parent's knowledge.
Why bother?
We have WAY bigger problems to worry about.

Teenage smoking is not something the ordinary Police Officer either has the time to tackle, nor the inclination to spend energy on whilst the carjackers, shoplifters, Amber Alerts, Domestic Disputes, etc. exist at the same time all around him.

Don't worry.
I doubt they even give you a second look.

Marc X

Just because it's illegal for you to smoke them, doesn't mean the cops MUST do something about it every time. And just because the cops have power of discretion concerning minor offenses, doesn't mean that makes it all legal.

Don't know about YOUR state, but there are a couple of them where, if you're busted for possession of cigarettes while underage, it can result in the revocation of your drivers license until you turn 18.

Kevy

Yeah it is illegal to smoke them if your under 18. So don't complain if you get caught.
Also the person who allowed you to have them can get in trouble too.

scruffycat

The reason it is illegal for you to BUY them is because it is illegal for you to SMOKE them.

It is easier to catch an underage person with cigs in the buying process (via i.d. check) than it is to catch them in the smoking process... esp., if the person is standing around smoking and the cop is in a car.

Steve R

Cops are not going to bother you if you look 18. They have more important things to do like go to the donut shop.

Melani.

yes u have to be 18 it is like drinking under the age of 21

Coolio A

yep...it's true, even outside of school, the law still applies. maybe you don't look under 18 so the cops aren't suspicious.

Aaron S

its illigial to smoke under 18 to they have that one rule so u cant buy cigs so they really dont have to worry but if u get pulled over with cigs and they ask for id ur in huge trouble u might go to juvie or jail.But probly a ticket

So watch it girl

PS:dont smoke ur lungs will turn black

knicks541

ummmmmmm like ya girlfriend

dragonboy

Yes it is illegal to smoke the cigarettes in public if you are under 18 years old. In most states though the cops will just take your cigarettes, and lighters away from you. I would advise you to quite smoking because it is really bad for your heath, and significantly shorten your life.

Hammer

The reason they didn't do anything on those occasions, assuming they saw you and knew you were underage, is because they had bigger battles to fight at the time. Perhaps they were on the way to a call, or were a few reports down, or whatever. It is illegal, obviously, to smoke or even possess cigs underage. But a stupid little brat smoking and trying to be cool isn't usually real high on most officers' priority list. Keep on doing it, though, and eventually you'll get busted. If that's what you're looking forward to, though, getting busted for smoking is not going to make you cool, it's just going to cost you (your parents, because a little idiot like you surely isn't responsible to work and be responsible for yourself) a little money. My advice? Keep smoking; in fact, smoke a lot, lot, lot more so you'll die soon and not be a burden on society. (Gee, do I sound a little angry? I'll try to work on that.)

vooog44

It is illegal to smoke if you are not of age.

The only reason you might get away with it is the cop being crooked, or you simply look the legal age.

cupcakesprinkle22

no duh!

~* Mummy of Kiaya*~

look smoking is dangerous for you,

but if they didnt do nothing there not doing there job. you are under age and too young. if you are smoking under 18 then you deserve to go to court. I feel as if you should talk to your mum and dad. because you need help to get off these before some cop does get you!!!!!!!!!!

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