In September, seven states and the District of Columbia were notified that they were in danger of being hit with this penalty. A number of jurisdictions have expanded their enforcement efforts beyond tobacco retailers. Rather than focusing on teen access to tobacco, they're focusing on the teens themselves. Since 1998, minors in possession of tobacco are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Failure to attend the class results in a driver's license suspension for up to six months.
Some jurisdictions are even tougher.
Laws directed at teens don't enjoy the universal support that laws limiting access do. Cassandra Welch of the American Lung Association considers teens to be victims of nicotine's addictive properties and tobacco companies' marketing efforts. Sharp is also skeptical. The CDC hasn't taken an official position, but he says laws that directly penalize minors aren't appropriate until states are highly successful in restricting access. Even then, he wouldn't support harsh laws.