H-1434.1          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 1974

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State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Chandler, Orr, Paris, Van Luven, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Ballard, Prentice, Sheldon, Moyer, Kremen, Hochstatter, Grant, P. Johnson, Mielke, Padden, D. Sommers, Dorn, Winsley, Ludwig, Ferguson, Vance and Mitchell.

 

Read first time February 18, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.Making it unlawful for persons under eighteen years of age to purchase, possess, or use a tobacco product.


     AN ACT Relating to tobacco products; adding new sections to chapter 26.28 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.      It is unlawful for a person under the age of eighteen to purchase a tobacco product.  After January 1, 1992, a person under eighteen years of age who purchases or attempts to purchase a tobacco product is guilty of a misdemeanor under RCW 9A.20.021.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.      (1) It is unlawful for a person under the age of eighteen to possess or use a tobacco product.  It is a class 4 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW for a person under eighteen years of age to possess or use a tobacco product.

     (2) A law enforcement officer may confiscate tobacco products found in the possession of a person under eighteen years of age and issue a  warning.  After January 1, 1992, a law enforcement officer may confiscate products found in the possession of a person under eighteen years of age and issue a notice of infraction.  Tobacco products confiscated under this section shall be destroyed by the law enforcement agency involved in the confiscation.  For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" means city, county, or state law enforcement personnel.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.      Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 26.28 RCW.