I know it's illegal to buy cigs if you're under 18, but I heard that you can get in trouble for smoking if you're under 18. Is this true? I smoke all the time out in public. Cops drive by and don't do anything...i am confused...
2007-10-13 14:55:54 · 20 answers · asked by Amanda Overmeyer-Janis of today! 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
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
2007-10-13 15:45:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by Smug Monkey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by Marc X 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it has a lot to do with the media. 50 years ago we didn't have the news 24/7 with people constantly talking about that kind of stuff and only focusing on the negative things. But now, every time you turn the news on, there's some story about teens committing crimes, "sexting", and all that crazy stuff. So I think that's why a lot of people say that this generation is so horrible, when in reality, it's not as bad as it seems. Teenagers have always done things like that, but it just wasn't as known years ago since people didn't get as much of a chance to talk about it. And it only seems like all teens are like that because of course that's all the media is going to talk about. Why would they talk about some normal teenager who goes to school, goes to soccer practice, and then goes home to do homework? Sure, I'm a teen and I go to school with some dumb people, but there are also plenty of decent teens that I know too.
2016-05-22 07:33:20 · answer #4 · answered by anjanette 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by Josh 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:08:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:57:46 · answer #7 · answered by Kevy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-13 15:48:27 · answer #8 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-13 16:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by chill out 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes u have to be 18 it is like drinking under the age of 21
2007-10-13 15:01:19 · answer #10 · answered by Melani. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is against the law to smoke also under age being that it is a controlled substance.
2007-10-13 15:53:09 · answer #11 · answered by dadcat00759 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋