| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to lighters and matches; creating s. |
| 3 | 877.28, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting the |
| 4 | purchase of a lighter or matches by a minor; |
| 5 | prohibiting a retailer from giving a lighter or |
| 6 | matches to a minor; requiring a retailer to verify the |
| 7 | age of a purchaser of a lighter or matches; |
| 8 | restricting the location of lighters or matches by |
| 9 | retailers; requiring specified signage for retailers |
| 10 | of lighters or matches; providing criminal penalties |
| 11 | for violations; providing an effective date. |
| 12 |
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| 13 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 14 |
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| 15 | Section 1. Section 877.28, Florida Statutes, is created to |
| 16 | read: |
| 17 | 877.28 Lighters and matches; minors.- |
| 18 | (1) As used in this section, the term: |
| 19 | (a) "Lighter" means a portable device that uses a |
| 20 | flammable gas or liquid to provide a naked flame or a red-hot |
| 21 | filament to light cigarettes, cigars, pipes, grills, fireplaces, |
| 22 | campfires, or campfire stoves. A lighter may include, but is not |
| 23 | limited to, a custom lighter, cigar lighter, pipe lighter, |
| 24 | candle lighter, outdoor grill lighter, camping lighter, novelty |
| 25 | lighter, table lighter, butane lighter, and any other self- |
| 26 | contained portable flame-producing device. |
| 27 | (b) "Matches" means a lighter consisting of a thin piece |
| 28 | of wood or cardboard tipped with a combustible chemical that |
| 29 | will ignite with friction. Matches may include, but are not |
| 30 | limited to, safety matches, strike-anywhere matches, storm |
| 31 | matches, Bengal matches, a matchbook, and a matchbox. |
| 32 | (2) It is unlawful for a minor to purchase a lighter or |
| 33 | matches. |
| 34 | (3) It is unlawful for any retailer to sell or give a |
| 35 | lighter or matches to a minor. |
| 36 | (4)(a) A retailer must verify the age of a person who is |
| 37 | purchasing a lighter or matches. |
| 38 | (b) Lighters and matches must be located by a retailer so |
| 39 | as to limit direct access to them by a customer before purchase. |
| 40 | (c) Each retailer selling lighters or matches must post a |
| 41 | sign stating, "The sale of lighters and matches to a person |
| 42 | under the age of 18 is prohibited." |
| 43 | (5) A person who violates this section commits: |
| 44 | (a) For a first violation, a misdemeanor of the second |
| 45 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
| 46 | (b) For a second or subsequent violation, a misdemeanor of |
| 47 | the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. |
| 48 | 775.083. |
| 49 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2012. |