[Adopted 6-9-1998 by Ord.
No. 5-98]
No person under the age of 18 shall purchase any cigarettes or other
tobacco products within the Township of Mullica.
No person under the age of 18 shall use in or upon any public place
or area any cigarettes or other tobacco products within the Township of Mullica.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
PUBLIC PLACE OR AREA
Any place or area to which the public is invited or upon which the
public is permitted, including but not limited to any sidewalk, street, alley,
right-of-way, boulevard, cul-de-sac or any park, playground, recreation field
or area, or any other property owned by the Township of Mullica, including
but not limited to Township Hall and any school property.
TOBACCO PRODUCT
Any product made from the tobacco plant for the purpose of smoking,
chewing, inhaling or other personal use, including but not limited to cigars,
chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff and cigarettes in any form.
Any person under the age of 18 years of age who violates this article
shall be subject to the following noncriminal penalties:
A. For a first offense, the issuance of a verbal warning
to the offender. The observing officer will gather all pertinent information
and notify the offender's parents and/or guardian of such offense.
B. For a second violation of this article, the person so
violating said ordinance would be returned to his/her residence, where the
observing officer will notify said individual's parents and/or guardians and
issue a written warning for such violation.
C. For a third and subsequent offense, the observing officer
will take the individual violating this article to the police station, where
the parents and/or guardian of said individual will be contacted and requested
to come to the police station, at which time a summons will be issued to the
parent and/or guardian of said individual. On the third or subsequent offense,
a fine may be imposed by the Municipal Court Judge against the parent and/or
guardian in said Judge's discretion, and in no event shall said fine be in
excess of $200. In lieu of a fine, the Judge, upon his discretion and with
the consent of the parent and the offender, may require said individual to
attend counseling regarding the adverse aspects of smoking or rehabilitation.