Virginia RULES Teens Learn & Live the Law Alcohol and Tobacco

Lesson Goal: To improve students ’ understanding of the seriousness of underage drinking and tobacco use and penalties associated with violating Virginia laws prohibiting underage use of alcohol and tobacco. To improve students ’ understanding of the seriousness of underage drinking and tobacco use and penalties associated with violating Virginia laws prohibiting underage use of alcohol and tobacco.

Students Will Learn: Underage drinking is a serious health and safety threat to young people Underage drinking is a serious health and safety threat to young people Virginia laws restricting underage alcohol possession and use Virginia laws restricting underage alcohol possession and use Strategies for staying safe and sober Strategies for staying safe and sober Virginia laws restricting underage tobacco possession and use Virginia laws restricting underage tobacco possession and use Penalties associated with violating the related laws Penalties associated with violating the related laws

Health and Safety Risks “ Sobering ” information about underage drinking Refer to Lesson Handout “ Underage Drinking: Dangerous and Expensive ”

It’s Dangerous People tend to underestimate or minimize the dangers of underage drinking. Underage drinking is a serious threat to the health and safety of young people.

It’s Expensive Seeing the harm and expense caused by underage drinking, it ’ s not hard to understand why there are laws restricting alcohol use.

Virginia Laws Definition of Alcohol “ Alcoholic beverages ” under the law includes: “ Alcohol, spirits, wine, and beer, and any one or more of such varieties containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, including mixed alcoholic beverages, and every liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and capable of being consumed by a human being. ” (Code of Virginia § ) Age Restrictions It is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or attempt to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. (Code of Virginia § )

Virginia Laws Penalties Include fines, driver ’ s license suspension, and community service. Code of Virginia § Upon conviction for purchasing, possessing, or attempting to purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage, a person under the age of 21 may be found guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. He/she may face a fine of up to $2,500 and/or a year in jail and/or 50 hours of community service, and can lose his/her driver’s license for up to a year. The court may also order substance abuse counseling and treatment.

Providing Alcohol to Minors Anyone who purchases for, or otherwise gives, provides, or assists in the provision of alcoholic beverages to another person knowing that the person is less than 21 years of age is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Fake IDs Using a fake ID is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Possessing a fake ID is also a violation of law. It is also illegal to loan your driver ’ s license or identification card to another person.

Drinking and Driving As part of a “ Zero Tolerance ” policy, Virginia has some of the toughest laws in the U.S. on minors caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Code of Virginia § makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Punishment includes loss of your driver ’ s license for one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum fine of $500 or having to perform a minimum of 50 hours of community service.

Alcohol at School If a student takes alcohol to school, he or she will be subject to both school disciplinary action and criminal action. Anyone (whether an adult or a minor) possessing or consuming alcohol on public school property can face a fine of up to $1,000 and six months jail time.

Staying Safe and Sober You have learned about the harm that results from underage drinking and about the key Virginia laws designed to restrict and penalize underage alcohol possession and use. You have an important role to play in preventing and reducing underage drinking.

Staying Safe and Sober Contract for Life You agree to: Avoid making decisions that jeopardize your health Call your parents if you are ever in a situation that threatens your safety Your parents agree to: Provide safe, sober transportation home Defer discussions Support Prevention Efforts

Tobacco - Health Risks Coughing Shortness of breath More frequent headaches Increased phlegm (mucus) Respiratory illnesses Worse cold and flu symptoms Reduced physical fitness Poor lung growth and function Worse overall health Addiction to nicotine Cigarette smoking causes serious health problems among children and teens, including:

Tobacco - Virginia Laws Contrary to what many people believe, tobacco is a drug, and contains a complex mixture of chemicals that affect the body in many ways. Nicotine is one of the main ingredients in tobacco. It is the substance that causes tobacco craving and a variety of health problems. Virginia law restricts access to tobacco to those over 18 years of age. (Code of Virginia § )

Tobacco - Penalties If anyone under 18 purchases or possesses any tobacco product – even from a vending machine – including items such as cigarettes, cigars, bidis, rolling papers, nicotine vapor products, and alternative nicotine products, they may be punishable by:  A civil penalty not to exceed $100 for the first violation, and $250 for subsequent violations.  Up to 20 hours of community service for a first violation and up to 40 hours of community service for a subsequent violation. (Code of Virginia § (D))

Tobacco - Other Laws Other laws govern tobacco use:  Virginia law limits tobacco use in schools, certain restaurants, and many public places, regardless of the age of the user.  Anyone who smokes in a designated no-smoking area and anyone who continues to smoke after being asked to refrain from smoking is subject to a civil penalty. (Code of Virginia § )

Tobacco - Recap  It is illegal for any person under the age of 18 to purchase, attempt to purchase, or possess any tobacco product, including rolling papers.  It is illegal for stores to sell tobacco products to anyone under 18 years of age.  Regardless of the user’s age, Virginia laws limit tobacco use in many public places, in schools, and in restaurants.

Review and Recap That underage drinking is a serious health and safety threat to young people. That there are Virginia laws restricting underage alcohol possession and use, laws about others providing alcohol to those underage, and laws about using or even possessing fake IDs. That Virginia’s “zero tolerance” laws carry serious penalties for drinking and driving. Some strategies for staying safe and sober and becoming involved in prevention efforts in your school/community. That tobacco use poses a serious health threat to young people. That there are laws restricting the possession of tobacco products by persons under age 18 and laws against selling such products to those under age 18. You have learned: