Underage tobacco users are now subject to hefty fine

Is $101.88 worth the chance of getting caught smoking a cigarette?

That is the minimum amount teenagers will pay if police find them in possession of cigarettes or other tobacco products.

Effective Aug. 21, a new state law makes it illegal for a person under the age of 18 to have any tobacco products in his or her possession.

No arrest can be made by police nor will tobacco possession cost a student their chance at getting one of the state's scholarships such as LIFE or Palmetto Fellows. What the new law will do is cost teenagers a lot of money and additional penalties decided by a county magistrate or city judge.

Police can issue a ticket to minors found with tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco. Once court costs and a contribution to the victim's fund are added, the minimum amount teenagers will pay is $101.88.

If the fine is not paid, a judge can order a minor to complete up to five hours of community service or attend a stop-smoking program. Failure to comply with a judge's orders could result in the loss of a teenager's driving privileges.

"There have been situations in the past where a parent has rewarded their child with a carton of cigarettes

if they attend class for a week," Cherokee County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse counselor Chrissy Little said.

Cherokee County schools are tobacco and alcohol-free campuses. It is against the law for any adult to transfer tobacco, beer or wine to minors.

Local law enforcement officials do tobacco buys and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission does compliance checks to see that merchants are following the law.

"It has been illegal for many years for a minor to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. This change in state law closes a loophole that allowed teenagers to have tobacco in their possession," Little said. "We hope this new law will help deter

young people from starting smoking which can lead to using alcohol and other drugs."

Local merchants are encouraged to participate in the Palmetto Retailers Education Program (PREP) offered through the Cherokee County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The 4-hour class taught by Little is aimed at educating merchants about identifying underage persons and checking ID cards for the purpose of refusing to sell tobacco and alcohol products to minors.

The PREP class also covers the legal issues and social responsibilities involved with the sale of tobacco and alcohol. The cost of the class is $15.

For more information about PREP, contact Little at 487-2721.