Title 18.2. Crimes and Offenses Generally
Chapter 8. Crimes Involving Morals and Decency
§ 18.2-371.2:1. Prohibiting possession of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age; seizure. (2025 updated section)
A. No person younger than 21 years of age shall possess any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the possession of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking by a person younger than 21 years of age (i) making a delivery of retail tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking in pursuance of his employment or (ii) as part of a scientific study being conducted by an organization for the purpose of medical research to further efforts in cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation and tobacco product regulation, provided that such medical research has been approved by an institutional review board pursuant to applicable federal regulations or by a research review committee pursuant to Chapter 5.1 (§ 32.1-162.16 et seq.) of Title 32.1. This subsection shall not apply to the possession of any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking by a law-enforcement officer or his agent when the same is necessary in the performance of his duties.
B. Any retail tobacco product or hemp product intended for smoking, as those terms are defined in § 18.2-371.2, possessed in violation of this section shall be deemed contraband and may be seized by a law-enforcement officer. Any such product, the lawful possession of which is not established, seized by such officer shall be forfeited and disposed of according to the process described in subdivision A 2 of § 19.2-386.23.
C. The seizure of contraband pursuant to subsection B shall be the sole penalty for a violation of this section.
D. The provisions of this section shall not preclude prosecution under any other statute.
