Cigarettes, smokeless products made or derived from tobacco and alternative nicotine products to be sold in unopened package only; sale and distribution of cigarettes, other tobacco products, vapor products and alternative nicotine products to minor prohibited; owner of retail establishment required to display notice concerning prohibition against sale of tobacco products, vapor products and alternative nicotine products to minors; sale of cigarettes by retailer through use of certain displays prohibited; penalties. [Effective through December 31, 2019.]

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

1. A person shall not sell, distribute or offer to sell cigarettes, any smokeless product made or derived from tobacco or any alternative nicotine product in any form other than in an unopened package which originated with the manufacturer and bears any health warning required by federal law. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of $100 and a civil penalty of $100. As used in this subsection, "smokeless product made or derived from tobacco" means any product that consists of cut, ground, powdered or leaf tobacco and is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity.

2. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 3, 4 and 5, it is unlawful for any person to sell, distribute or offer to sell cigarettes, cigarette paper, tobacco of any description, products made or derived from tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products to any child under the age of 18 years. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and a civil penalty of not more than $500.

3. A person shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of subsection 2 if, before the person sells, distributes or offers to sell to another, cigarettes, cigarette paper, tobacco of any description, products made or derived from tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products, the person:

(a) Demands that the other person present a valid driver’s license, permanent resident card, tribal identification card or other written or documentary evidence which shows that the other person is 18 years of age or older;

(b) Is presented a valid driver’s license, permanent resident card, tribal identification card or other written or documentary evidence which shows that the other person is 18 years of age or older; and

(c) Reasonably relies upon the driver’s license, permanent resident card, tribal identification card or written or documentary evidence presented by the other person.

4. The employer of a child who is under 18 years of age may, for the purpose of allowing the child to handle or transport tobacco, products made or derived from tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products, in the course of the child’s lawful employment, provide tobacco, products made or derived from tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products to the child.

5. With respect to any sale made by an employee of a retail establishment, the owner of the retail establishment shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of subsection 2 if the owner:

(a) Had no actual knowledge of the sale; and

(b) Establishes and carries out a continuing program of training for employees which is reasonably designed to prevent violations of subsection 2.

6. The owner of a retail establishment shall, whenever any product made or derived from tobacco, vapor product or alternative nicotine product is being sold or offered for sale at the establishment, display prominently at the point of sale:

(a) A notice indicating that:

(1) The sale of cigarettes, other tobacco products, vapor products and alternative nicotine products to minors is prohibited by law; and

(2) The retailer may ask for proof of age to comply with this prohibition; and

(b) At least one sign that complies with the requirements of NRS 442.340.

A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.

7. It is unlawful for any retailer to sell cigarettes through the use of any type of display:

(a) Which contains cigarettes and is located in any area to which customers are allowed access; and

(b) From which cigarettes are readily accessible to a customer without the assistance of the retailer,

except a vending machine used in compliance with NRS 202.2494. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.

8. Any money recovered pursuant to this section as a civil penalty must be deposited in a separate account in the State General Fund to be used for the enforcement of this section and NRS 202.2494.

[1911 C&P § 237; RL § 6502; NCL § 10184] + [1911 C&P § 238; RL § 6503; NCL § 10185] + [1:271:1949; 1943 NCL § 1046.01] — (NRS A 1959, 675; 1961, 379, 625; 1967, 482; 1989, 1955; 1995, 2604; 2007, 2058; 2011, 825; 2013, 1531; 2015, 1936; 2017, 93, 1624, 2273)


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.