Cigarettes and smokeless products made from tobacco to be sold in unopened package only; sale and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minor prohibited; penalties.
1. A person shall not sell, distribute or offer to sell cigarettes or smokeless products made from tobacco in any form other than in an unopened package which originated with the manufacturer and bears any health warning required by federal law. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $100 and a civil penalty of $100.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3, 4 and 5, it is unlawful for any person to sell, distribute or offer to sell cigarettes, cigarette paper, tobacco of any description or products made from tobacco to any child under the age of 18 years. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and a civil penalty of not more than $500.
3. A person shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of subsection 2 if, before he sells, distributes or offers to sell to another, cigarettes, cigarette paper, tobacco of any description or products made from tobacco, he:
(a) Demands that the person present a valid driver’s license or other written or documentary evidence which shows that the person is 18 years of age or older;
(b) Is presented a valid driver’s license or other written or documentary evidence which shows that the person is 18 years of age or older; and
(c) Reasonably relies upon the driver’s license or written or documentary evidence presented by the person.
4. The employer of a child who is under 18 years of age may, for the purpose of allowing the child to handle or transport tobacco or products made from tobacco in the course of the child’s lawful employment, provide tobacco or products made from tobacco to the child.
5. With respect to any sale made by his employee, the owner of a retail establishment shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of subsection 2 if he:
(a) Had no actual knowledge of the sale; and
(b) Establishes and carries out a continuing program of training for his employees which is reasonably designed to prevent violations of subsection 2.
6. Any money recovered pursuant to this section as a civil penalty must be deposited in a separate account in the State General Fund to be used for the enforcement of this section and NRS 202.2494.
Last modified: February 25, 2006