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 or tobacco products to minors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of inspections and enforcement actions undertaken pursuant to this section, minors may be enlisted to attempt to purchase or purchase tobacco products, provided that such persons shall have the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and provided further that such persons 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 minor may misrepresent his or her age for the purpose of purchasing or attempting to purchase tobacco products. If questioned about his or her age during an attempt to purchase or receive tobacco products, a minor shall state his or her true age. A photograph or video recording of any minor assisting in an inspection or enforcement action shall be taken prior to the investigation. The appearance of a minor participating in an inspection or enforcement action shall not be altered at the time of the inspection. The minor shall be under the age of 18.

(Acts 1997, No. 97-423, p. 721, §3.)