Caught smoking under 18 – is it legal?

Smoking is prohibited in any school, college, and university.

MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 270, § 22 (2004).



Students in primary or secondary public schools in the Commonwealth are prohibited from using tobacco products of any type on school grounds during normal school hours.

MASS. GEN. LAWS ANN. ch. 71, § 2A (1987).

Penalties for Sales to Minors

Whoever sells or gives tobacco in any form to a person under the age of 18 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 for the first offense, not less than $200 for a second offense, and not less than $300 for subsequent offenses. This does not apply to tobacco given by the parents or guardian of the child.

MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 270, § 6 (1985).


Whoever sells cigarette rolling papers to any person under the age of 18 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $100 for subsequent offenses. No city, town, department, board or other political subdivision or agency of the commonwealth may impose any requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions pertaining to the sale of cigarette rolling papers, in addition to those in this section, notwithstanding any ordinance or regulation that was in effect before February 20, 1996.

MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 270, § 6A (1995).

Penalties to Minors

None.