NYC Laws & Pending Legislation: Underage Tobacco Use

New York State Laws/ Pending Legislation

If you violate these laws, you risk:
• fines of up to $2,500
• a surcharge of $50 for each violation
• loss of your certificate of registration to sell tobacco or herbal cigarettes
• suspension of your lottery license
 
Other fines and penalties

First violation
• Fines from $300 to $1,000

Subsequent violations
• Fines from $500 to $1,500

All violations
• A $50 surcharge for each violation
• For each sale to a minor, 2 points are assigned

Violation while your tobacco registration is suspended or revoked
• Fine of $2,500
• Tobacco registration permanently revoked and you will not be allowed to obtain a new registration to sell tobacco

All above violations will be published in the local newspaper.

If you do not have a valid tobacco registration
• Your name and address will be reported to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation  and Finance for investigation.

(Source: New York State Department of Health - A Guide for Tobacco Merchants –revised March 2006)