NRS202.2493. Cigarettes and smokeless products made or derived from tobacco to be sold in unopened package only; sale and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minor prohibited; owner of retail establishment required to display notice concerning prohibition against sale of tobacco products to minors; sale of cigarettes by retailer through use of certain displays prohibited; penalties.

      1.  A person shall not sell, distribute or offer to sell cigarettes or smokeless products made or derived from tobacco 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.

      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 or products made or derived from tobacco 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 or products made or derived from tobacco, the person:

      (a) Demands that the other person present a valid driver’s license 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 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 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 or products made or derived from tobacco in the course of the child’s lawful employment, provide tobacco or products made or derived from tobacco 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 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 and other tobacco 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.

Ê 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,

Ê 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)