2010 Tennessee Code
Title 39 - Criminal Offenses
Chapter 17 - Offenses Against Public Health, Safety and Welfare
Part 15 - Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco
39-17-1504 - Sales to minors Penalty.

39-17-1504. Sales to minors Penalty.

(a)  It is unlawful for any person to sell or distribute any tobacco product to another person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age or to purchase a tobacco product on behalf of such person under eighteen (18) years of age.

(b)  It is unlawful for any person to persuade, entice, send or assist a person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age to purchase, acquire, receive or attempt to purchase, acquire or receive a tobacco product. This section and § 39-17-1505 shall not be deemed to preclude law enforcement efforts involving the use of individuals under eighteen (18) years of age if a parent of the individual has consented to this action.

(c)  No person shall distribute tobacco product samples in or on any public street, sidewalk, or park.

(d)  A person engaged in the sale or distribution of tobacco products shall demand proof of age from a prospective purchaser or recipient if an ordinary person would conclude on the basis of appearance that the prospective purchaser or recipient may be under twenty-seven (27) years of age. In the case of distribution by mail, the distributor of tobacco products shall obtain from the addressee an affirmative statement that the person is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and shall inform the recipient that the person is strictly prohibited from distributing any tobacco product, as defined by this part, to any person under eighteen (18) years of age.

[Acts 1994, ch. 872, § 4; 1995, ch. 470, §§ 2, 3; 1999, ch. 354, §§ 1, 2, 4.]