1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to lighters and matches; creating s. |
3 | 877.28, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting the |
4 | purchase of a lighter or matches by a minor; |
5 | prohibiting a retailer from giving a lighter or |
6 | matches to a minor; requiring a retailer to verify the |
7 | age of a purchaser of a lighter or matches; |
8 | restricting the location of lighters or matches by |
9 | retailers; requiring specified signage for retailers |
10 | of lighters or matches; providing criminal penalties |
11 | for violations; providing an effective date. |
12 |
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13 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
14 |
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15 | Section 1. Section 877.28, Florida Statutes, is created to |
16 | read: |
17 | 877.28 Lighters and matches; minors.- |
18 | (1) As used in this section, the term: |
19 | (a) "Lighter" means a portable device that uses a |
20 | flammable gas or liquid to provide a naked flame or a red-hot |
21 | filament to light cigarettes, cigars, pipes, grills, fireplaces, |
22 | campfires, or campfire stoves. A lighter may include, but is not |
23 | limited to, a custom lighter, cigar lighter, pipe lighter, |
24 | candle lighter, outdoor grill lighter, camping lighter, novelty |
25 | lighter, table lighter, butane lighter, and any other self- |
26 | contained portable flame-producing device. |
27 | (b) "Matches" means a lighter consisting of a thin piece |
28 | of wood or cardboard tipped with a combustible chemical that |
29 | will ignite with friction. Matches may include, but are not |
30 | limited to, safety matches, strike-anywhere matches, storm |
31 | matches, Bengal matches, a matchbook, and a matchbox. |
32 | (2) It is unlawful for a minor to purchase a lighter or |
33 | matches. |
34 | (3) It is unlawful for any retailer to sell or give a |
35 | lighter or matches to a minor. |
36 | (4)(a) A retailer must verify the age of a person who is |
37 | purchasing a lighter or matches. |
38 | (b) Lighters and matches must be located by a retailer so |
39 | as to limit direct access to them by a customer before purchase. |
40 | (c) Each retailer selling lighters or matches must post a |
41 | sign stating, "The sale of lighters and matches to a person |
42 | under the age of 18 is prohibited." |
43 | (5) A person who violates this section commits: |
44 | (a) For a first violation, a misdemeanor of the second |
45 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
46 | (b) For a second or subsequent violation, a misdemeanor of |
47 | the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. |
48 | 775.083. |
49 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012. |