Section 28-11-3
Minors enlisted to help board enforce state and federal laws.
The board, in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, shall enforce state and federal laws that prohibit the distribution of tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems to individuals under the age of 21 years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of inspections and enforcement actions undertaken pursuant to this section, individuals under the age of 21 years may be enlisted to attempt to purchase or purchase tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and electronic nicotine delivery systems, provided that individuals under the age of 18 years shall have the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and provided further that the individuals shall be directly supervised during the conduct of each inspection or enforcement action by an enforcement agent of the board, or by a sheriff or head of police of any county, city, town, or other political subdivision, or by a deputy or officer thereof. No individual under the age of 21 years may misrepresent his or her age for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or electronic nicotine delivery systems. If questioned about his or her age during an attempt to purchase or receive tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or electronic nicotine delivery systems, an individual under the age of 21 years shall state his or her true age. A photograph or video recording of any individual under the age of 21 years assisting in an inspection or enforcement action shall be taken prior to the investigation. The appearance of an individual under the age of 21 years participating in an inspection or enforcement action shall not be altered at the time of the inspection.
(Acts 1997, No. 97-423, p. 721, §3; Act 2021-453, §2.)