(1) It is unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly possess any tobacco product. Any person under 18 years of age who violates this subsection commits a noncriminal violation as provided in s. 775.08(3), punishable by:

(a) For a first violation, 16 hours of community service or, instead of community service, a $25 fine. In addition, the person must attend a school-approved anti-tobacco program, if locally available; or

(b) For a second or subsequent violation within 12 weeks after the first violation, a $25 fine.

Any second or subsequent violation not within the 12-week period after the first violation is punishable as provided for a first violation.

(2) It is unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to misrepresent his or her age or military service for the purpose of inducing a dealer or an agent or employee of the dealer to sell, give, barter, furnish, or deliver any tobacco product, or to purchase, or attempt to purchase, any tobacco product from a person or a vending machine. Any person under 18 years of age who violates this subsection commits a noncriminal violation as provided in s. 775.08(3), punishable by:

(a) For a first violation, 16 hours of community service or, instead of community service, a $25 fine and, in addition, the person must attend a school-approved anti-tobacco program, if available; or

(b) For a second or subsequent violation within 12 weeks after the first violation, a $25 fine.

Any second or subsequent violation not within the 12-week period after the first violation is punishable as provided for a first violation.

(3) Any person under 18 years of age cited for committing a noncriminal violation under this section must sign and accept a civil citation indicating a promise to appear before the county court or comply with the requirement for paying the fine and must attend a school-approved anti-tobacco program, if locally available. If a fine is assessed for a violation of this section, the fine must be paid within 30 days after the date of the citation or, if a court appearance is mandatory, within 30 days after the date of the hearing.

(4) A person charged with a noncriminal violation under this section must appear before the county court or comply with the requirement for paying the fine. The court, after a hearing, shall make a determination as to whether the noncriminal violation was committed. If the court finds the violation was committed, it shall impose an appropriate penalty as specified in subsection (1) or subsection (2). A person who participates in community service shall be considered an employee of the state for the purpose of chapter 440, for the duration of such service.

(5)(a) If a person under 18 years of age is found by the court to have committed a noncriminal violation under this section and that person has failed to complete community service, pay the fine as required by paragraph (1)(a) or paragraph (2)(a), or attend a school-approved anti-tobacco program, if locally available, the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of or suspend the driver license or driving privilege of that person for a period of 30 consecutive days.

(b) If a person under 18 years of age is found by the court to have committed a noncriminal violation under this section and that person has failed to pay the applicable fine as required by paragraph (1)(b) or paragraph (2)(b), the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of or suspend the driver license or driving privilege of that person for a period of 45 consecutive days.

(6) Eighty percent of all civil penalties received by a county court pursuant to this section shall be remitted by the clerk of the court to the Department of Revenue for transfer to the Department of Education to provide for teacher training and for research and evaluation to reduce and prevent the use of tobacco products by children. The remaining 20 percent of civil penalties received by a county court pursuant to this section shall remain with the clerk of the county court to cover administrative costs.

History.—s. 5, ch. 97-162; s. 3, ch. 99-156; s. 9, ch. 99-259; s. 34, ch. 2001-63; s. 30, ch. 2001-122; s. 27, ch. 2019-167.