2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25101660D

SENATE BILL NO. 1266

Offered January 8, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-371.2:1, relating to possession of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age prohibited; penalty.

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Patron—Durant

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-371.2:1 as follows:

§ 18.2-371.2:1. Possession of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age prohibited; penalty.

A. No person younger than 21 years of age shall possess any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the possession of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age (i) making a delivery of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking in pursuance of his employment or (ii) as part of a scientific study being conducted by an organization for the purpose of medical research to further efforts in cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation and tobacco product regulation, provided that such medical research has been approved by an institutional review board pursuant to applicable federal regulations or by a research review committee pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1.

C. This section shall not apply to the possession of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking by a law-enforcement officer or his agent when the same is necessary in the performance of his duties.