Prohibición de venta de encendedores novelties a menores

Explicación Simple

Esta ley dice que no se puede vender encendedores que parecen juguetes a los adolescentes. Estos encendedores son atractivos para los jóvenes, y la ley quiere protegerlos de posibles peligros.

Es como si un adulto vendiera cuchillos de juguete a niños; aunque son divertidos, pueden ser peligrosos si no se usan correctamente.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que en una tienda de Virginia, Juan, un vendedor, tiene encendedores con forma de personajes de dibujos animados. Si vende uno de esos encendedores a un adolescente, podría enfrentarse a una multa de hasta $100 porque la ley prohíbe esa venta.

Penalidades

Multa de hasta $100 por vender un encendedor novelty a un menor.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-371.4 - Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles. A. "Novelty lighter" means a mechanical or electrical device containing a combustible fuel typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that is (i) designed to resemble a cartoon character, toy, gun, watch, musical instrument, vehicle, animal, food, or beverage, or (ii) a fanciful article that plays musical notes, has flashing lights, or has other entertaining features that are appealing to or intended for use by juveniles. A novelty lighter may operate on any fuel, including butane, isobutene, or liquid fuel. B. "Novelty lighter" does not include (i) a lighter without fuel and that is incapable of being fueled, (ii) a lighter lacking a device necessary to produce combustion or a flame, (iii) a mechanical or electrical device primarily used to ignite fuel for fireplaces or for charcoal or gas grills, (iv) a lighter manufactured prior to 1980, or (v) a standard disposable lighter that is printed or decorated with logos, labels, decals, or artwork, or heat shrinkable sleeves. C. Novelty lighters that are available for purchase at a retail establishment shall be located in a place that is not open to the general public. D. Any individual who sells a novelty lighter to a person he knows or has reason to know is a juvenile is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $100. E. This section may be enforced by the State Fire Marshal's Office, local fire marshals appointed pursuant to § 27-34.2 or 27-34.2:1 , or law-enforcement officers. 2009, c. 668 . Article 5. Obscenity and Related Offenses.