Board of Aldermen 05-14-2019 Page 32
Alderman Gathright
Ok.
Attorney Bolton
If it’s a violation then it would be $1,200.00 that’s a guess.
Alderman Harriott-Gathright
While he is looking that up there is one other statement | wanted to make was and this is one of the
issues that came out of this situation here. It was a parent of a 14 year old that followed them to the
store, watched an older kid go into the store buy it and come back out and give it to her son. Now as a
parent, she should have called the Police, that’s what she should have done, that didn’t happen. So
then it became another issue here. But as parents and | have a 14 year old and somebody is giving
them something that they shouldn’t? | ‘m going to call the Police and every last one of us should.
President Wilshire
Did you have an answer Alderman Jette?
Alderman Jette
Yes so the State Law is currently 18 prohibits “no person under 18 shall purchase, attempt to
purchase, possess or use any tobacco product, e-cigarette, or liquid nicotine”. And for people who
possess or use, “any minor who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and shall be punished
by a fine not to exceed $100.00 for each offense or shall be required to complete up to 20 hours of
community service for each offense or both. Where available punishment may also include
participation in an education program”. And I’m not done for the sale and distribution of tobacco
products, e-cigarettes or liquid nicotine to minors, “fines shall not exceed $250.00 for the first offense,
$500.00 for the second offense and for the third offense the commission shall issue a letter of warning
and administrative fine ranging from $500.00 to $1,500.00. In addition the license to sell tobacco
products by the manufacturer, wholesaler, sub-job or retailer shall be suspended for 10 consecutive
days and not exceeding 30 consecutive days”. And it continues for the fourth offense it’s 40
consecutive days and the fines can go up to $3,000.00. So it increases for the business that sells or
distributes.
Alderman Harriott-Gathright
My comment to that is that obviously | am not sure why it hasn’t been enforced then. So we are
starting down | guess another way to make Nashua enforce what is already a law here in our own little
way of making it a little bit less of something, | don’t think that’s the way for us to go. | really believe if
this is the Law for the State then it needs to be dealt with as a State not as a City. And I’m glad you
gave me all that information because | have problems with that and | think | will tackle that.
Alderman Schmidt
If it already State Law we certainly don’t need it in this then, is that correct?
Alderman Klee
Just adding on to what Alderman Jette said yes it is RSA 126-K:4 which is the Sale, Distribution of
Tobacco Products, E-Cigarettes or Liquid Nicotine to Minors and Prohibited. And | did bring this up
