1. Alcohol and Tobacco

2. 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.

3. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Students will learn:
That underage drinking is a serious health and safety threat to young people
Virginia laws restricting underage alcohol possession and use
Strategies for staying safe and sober
Virginia laws restricting underage tobacco possession and use
Penalties associated with violating the related laws

4. Health and safety risks, expense
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Health and safety risks, expense
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.
The fallout from underage drinking is also very costly.
Given the harm and expense caused by underage drinking, it’s not hard to understand why there are laws restricting alcohol use.
Refer to Lesson Handout “Underage Drinking: Dangerous and Expensive”

5. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Good Samaritan Law
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can cause a life-threatening overdose. People may not call for vital medical help because they don’t want to get in trouble themselves.
But under the Good Samaritan Law, if a person:
reports an overdose to a firefighter, EMS personnel or law enforcement (usually by calling 911)
identifies themselves as the one reporting the overdose and
cooperates with law enforcement
They are eligible for “affirmative defense” and may be protected from being convicted for certain possession or intoxication crimes. (Code of Virginia § )

6. Alcohol – definition “Alcoholic beverages” under the law includes:
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Alcohol – definition
“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 § )
It is illegal to purchase, possess, offer for sale or use, sell, or use a powdered or crystalline alcoholic product. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (Code of Virginia § )

7. Alcohol – age restrictions
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Alcohol – 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 § )

8. Alcohol – penalties Penalties
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Alcohol – penalties
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.

9. Providing alcohol to minors
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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.

10. Fake IDs Using a fake ID is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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.

11. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Drinking and driving
As part of a “Zero Tolerance” policy, Virginia has some of the toughest laws in the U.S. for 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.

12. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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.

13. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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.

14. Staying safe and sober, cont.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Staying safe and sober, cont.
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

15. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Tobacco – dangers
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.

16. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Tobacco – dangers, cont.
Cigarette smoking causes serious health problems among children and teens, including:
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

17. Tobacco – Virginia laws
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Tobacco – Virginia laws
Virginia law restricts access to tobacco to those over 18 years of age. (Code of Virginia § )

18. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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))

19. Tobacco – other laws Other laws govern tobacco use:
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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 § )

20. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
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.

21. Review and recap You have learned:
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Review and recap
You have learned:
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.

22. ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO
Review and recap, cont.
That the Good Samaritan Law offers some protection to those who get help for someone in danger from an alcohol or drug overdose
Some strategies for staying safe and sober.
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.