2019 Indiana Code
Title 35. Criminal Law and Procedure
Article 46. Miscellaneous Offenses
Chapter 1. Offenses Against the Family
35-46-1-10. Sale or distribution of tobacco or electronic cigarettes to a minor; defenses
Sec. 10. (a) A person who knowingly:
(1) sells or distributes tobacco or an electronic cigarette to a person less than eighteen (18) years of age; or
(2) purchases tobacco or an electronic cigarette for delivery to another person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age;
commits a Class C infraction. For a sale to take place under this section, the buyer must pay the seller for the tobacco product or the electronic cigarette.
(b) It is not a defense that the person to whom the tobacco or electronic cigarette was sold or distributed did not smoke, chew, inhale, or otherwise consume the tobacco or the electronic cigarette.
(c) The following defenses are available to a person accused of selling or distributing tobacco or an electronic cigarette to a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age:
(1) The buyer or recipient produced a driver's license bearing the purchaser's or recipient's photograph, showing that the purchaser or recipient was of legal age to make the purchase.
(2) The buyer or recipient produced a photographic identification card issued under IC 9-24-16-1, or a similar card issued under the laws of another state or the federal government, showing that the purchaser or recipient was of legal age to make the purchase.
(3) The appearance of the purchaser or recipient was such that an ordinary prudent person would believe that the purchaser or recipient was not less than the age that complies with regulations promulgated by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
(d) It is a defense that the accused person sold or delivered the tobacco or electronic cigarette to a person who acted in the ordinary course of employment or a business concerning tobacco or electronic cigarettes:
(1) agriculture;
(2) processing;
(3) transporting;
(4) wholesaling; or
(5) retailing.
(e) As used in this section, "distribute" means to give tobacco or an electronic cigarette to another person as a means of promoting, advertising, or marketing the tobacco or electronic cigarette to the general public.
(f) Unless the person buys or receives tobacco or an electronic cigarette under the direction of a law enforcement officer as part of an enforcement action, a person who sells or distributes tobacco or an electronic cigarette is not liable for a violation of this section unless the person less than eighteen (18) years of age who bought or received the tobacco or electronic cigarette is issued a citation or summons under section 10.5 of this chapter.
(g) Notwithstanding IC 34-28-5-5(c), civil penalties collected under this section must be deposited in the Richard D. Doyle youth tobacco education and enforcement fund (IC 7.1-6-2-6).
As added by Acts 1980, P.L.209, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.330-1983, SEC.1; P.L.318-1987, SEC.3; P.L.125-1988, SEC.4; P.L.177-1999, SEC.10; P.L.1-2001, SEC.37; P.L.204-2001, SEC.65; P.L.252-2003, SEC.17; P.L.20-2013, SEC.5.
