HB 37 -- Possession of Tobacco Products by Minors Sponsor: Gaskill This bill imposes penalties for the possession of tobacco products by minors. The bill prohibits the purchase, attempt to purchase, or possession of tobacco products by persons less than 18 years old. The bill requires that tobacco products be confiscated from minors in violation, and minors must attend an anti-tobacco program, if available. In addition, for the first violation, minors must serve 16 hours of community service or pay a $25 fine, and their driver's licenses must be suspended for 10 days. For a second violation, the penalty is 25 hours or a $50 fine, with a driver's license suspension of 30 days. Third and subsequent violations within 12 weeks of the first violation are penalized with 50 hours of community service or a $100 fine, and driver's license suspension for 6 months. The bill also makes elementary and secondary students in possession of tobacco products on school property subject to detention, suspension, or expulsion. Schools are required to post signs indicating that possession of tobacco products is prohibited.Copyright (c) Missouri House of Representatives