[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
PROOF OF AGE
A driver's license or other documentary or written evidence that the individual is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
SAMPLES
A tobacco product distributed to members of the general public at no charge for purposes of promoting the product.
SAMPLING
The distribution of samples to members of the general public in a public place.
TOBACCO or TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Any substance containing tobacco leaf, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco or dipping tobacco.
VENDING MACHINE
Any mechanical, electric or electronic, self-service device which, upon insertion of money, tokens or any other form of payment, dispenses tobacco products.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to give, barter, sell, cause to be sold, buy for, distribute samples of or furnish tobacco in any of its forms, or cigarette papers, to any person under eighteen (18) years of age.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any individual under the age of eighteen (18) years to purchase, possess, accept receipt of or attempt to purchase or accept receipt of tobacco products or to present or offer to any person purported proof of age that is false, fraudulent or not actually his or her own for the purpose of purchasing, possession or receiving any tobacco product.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
A person selling or distributing tobacco products shall require proof of age from any prospective purchaser or recipient unless such person has reasonable and certain knowledge of the prospective purchaser or recipient is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
A. 
No person shall sell tobacco products in the City of Seneca through a vending machine unless the vending machine is located:
1. 
In areas of factories, businesses or other places that are not open to the public;
2. 
In places that are open to the public, but persons under the age of eighteen (18) years are denied access;
3. 
In other places, but only if the machine:
a. 
Is under the continuous active supervision of the owner or lessee of the premises or employee thereof; or
b. 
Can be operated only by the activation of an electronic switch by the owner or lessee of the premises or employee thereof prior to such purchases; and
c. 
Is inaccessible to the public when the establishment is closed.
4. 
In any place where continuous active supervision of a vending machine, or activation of an electronic switch, is required by Subsection (3) of this Section, the person responsible for that supervision or the activation of the switch shall demand proof of age from a prospective purchaser unless such person has reasonable and certain knowledge to believe the prospective purchaser is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
If a sale is made in violation of this Chapter by the employee of the owner of a retail establishment in which tobacco products are sold, both the employee and the owner shall be guilty of the violation and be subject to the fine. If the sale is made through a vending machine, the owner of the establishment where the machine is located shall be guilty of the violation and be subject to the fine; provided however, that if the proprietor has made an employee responsible for supervising the machine, such employee shall also be guilty of the violation and be subject to the fine.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute tobacco products samples in or on any public street, sidewalk or park that is within five hundred (500) feet of any playground, school or other facility when the facility is being used primarily by persons under the age of eighteen (18) years.
B. 
A person engaged in sampling shall demand proof of age from a prospective recipient if such person has reason to believe that the prospective recipient is under the age of eighteen (18) years.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any licensee or any person in the business of selling or otherwise distributing, promoting or advertising tobacco products, or any employee or agent of any such licensee or person, in the course of such licensee's or person's business, to distribute, give away or deliver tobacco products free of charge to any person on any public right-of-way, park, playground or other property owned by the City of Seneca.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
No person shall sell cigarettes individually nor shall any person hold any tobacco products for sale other than in an unopened package originating with the manufacturer that bears the health warning required by Federal law.
[Ord. No. 2001-7, 12-10-2001]
Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, every person who shall be convicted of any violation of this Chapter shall be fined no more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the first (1st) such conviction; not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the second (2nd) such conviction; and not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for any subsequent conviction.