[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Township of Hampton 6-20-1995. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Regulation of vending machines — See Ch. 127.
The intent of this chapter is to protect the health, safety and welfare of minors in this township, especially in light of:
A. 
The Hampton Board of Health's determination, based on medical and scientific evidence, that cigarette smoking is a serious health hazard and regulating tobacco is an important health goal.
B. 
N.J.S.A. 2A:170-51, which bans the sale or furnishing of cigarettes to minors in any form.
C. 
Tobacco vending machines are used by minors to purchase cigarettes and those machines are often placed so that merchants cannot supervise the persons buying these cigarettes which are sold from the tobacco vending machines indiscriminately.
D. 
The Surgeon General of the United States' call for a ban on the sale of cigarettes by tobacco vending machines.
E. 
Without this chapter the Township of Hampton is unable to prevent the sale of cigarettes to minors by vending machines.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health of Hampton Township.
HEALTH OFFICER
The administrative officer of the Hampton Township Board of Health and/or his or her authorized representatives.
PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION or ASSOCIATION
Includes the following: any persons, firm, corporation or association in whose place of business or employment tobacco products are offered for sale, directly or by machine.
TOBACCO PRODUCT
Any product made from the tobacco plant or containing tobacco leaf for the purpose of smoking, chewing, inhaling or other personal use, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff and dipping tobacco.
TOBACCO RETAILER
Any person or entity who or which sells tobacco or tobacco products.
TOBACCO VENDING MACHINE
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic self-service device which, upon insertion of money, tokens or any other form of payment, dispenses tobacco or tobacco products, either exclusively or as one kind of available item.
It shall be unlawful for a tobacco retailer to offer for sale or to sell tobacco through a tobacco vending machine in Hampton Township.
A. 
Whenever the Health Officer, or his/her designee, reasonably believes that there exists a violation of this chapter, he/she may issue a summons and complaint not later than 90 days after discovery of the alleged violation. The complaint shall be written and shall state with reasonable particularity the nature of the violation, including reference to the Article and section of this chapter alleged to have been violated. The complaint shall be delivered or sent by certified mail to the alleged violator.
B. 
The Health Officer, or his/her designee, or any other person charged with enforcement of this chapter, after giving proper identification, may inspect any matter, thing, premises, place, persons, record, vehicle, incident or event as necessary.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to molest, willfully oppose, verbally abuse or otherwise obstruct the Health Officer, or his/her designee, or any other person charged with enforcement of this chapter during the routine performance of his/her duties.
D. 
The Health Officer, or his/her designee, may request the assistance of the New Jersey State Police or other police agency or peace officer when necessary to execute his or her official duty in a manner prescribed by law.
E. 
Citizens may bring complaints against violators of this chapter.
Any person owning, operating, renting or permitting the use of a tobacco vending machine on premises under his or her control in violation of this chapter, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of $250. Each day on which such a machine is owned, operated, rented or permitted on the premises in violation of this chapter shall result in an additional fine.