{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-371.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-371.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-371.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-371.4.html"}],"law_id":350872,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350872,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.4","catch_line":"Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles","history":"2009, c. 668.","full_text":"A\n\n“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.\n\nB\n\n“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.\n\nC\n\nNovelty lighters that are available for purchase at a retail establishment shall be located in a place that is not open to the general public.\n\nD\n\nAny 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.\n\nE\n\nThis 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.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307054,"text":"“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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1307055,"text":"“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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1307056,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1307057,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1307058,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50182,"edition_id":2,"name":"Family Offenses; Crimes Against Children, etc","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50176,"metadata":{"child_laws":22,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:15","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:24","permalink":{"id":1394755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50182,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/8\/4","url":"\/18.2\/8\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50176,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":8,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":145,"child_structures":10},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:01","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:23","permalink":{"id":1394395,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50176,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350850,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-362","catch_line":"Person marrying when spouse is living; penalty; venue","url":"\/18.2-362\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-362","metadata":false},{"id":350851,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-363","catch_line":"Leaving Commonwealth to evade law against bigamy","url":"\/18.2-363\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-363","metadata":false},{"id":350852,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-364","catch_line":"Exceptions to \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-362 and 18.2-363","url":"\/18.2-364\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-364","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Cole v. Commonwealth","case_number":"0320102","citation":"712 S.E.2d 759","date":"2011-08-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1061894\/cole-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 712 S.E.2d 759 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Stuart v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record No. 1335-88-1","citation":"397 S.E.2d 533","date":"1990-10-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1262369\/stuart-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 397 S.E.2d 533 (1990) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350853,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-365","catch_line":"Adultery defined; penalty","url":"\/18.2-365\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-365","metadata":false},{"id":350854,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-366","catch_line":"Sexual intercourse by persons forbidden to marry; incest; penalties","url":"\/18.2-366\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-366","metadata":false},{"id":350855,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-367","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-367\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-367","metadata":false},{"id":350856,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-368","catch_line":"Placing or leaving spouse for prostitution; penalty","url":"\/18.2-368\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-368","metadata":false},{"id":350857,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-369","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults; penalties","url":"\/18.2-369\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-369","metadata":false},{"id":350867,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with children; penalties","url":"\/18.2-370\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370","metadata":false},{"id":350860,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.01","catch_line":"Indecent liberties by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.01","metadata":false},{"id":350861,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.1","catch_line":"Taking indecent liberties with child by person in custodial or supervisory relationship; penalties","url":"\/18.2-370.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.1","metadata":false},{"id":350862,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.2","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting proximity to children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.2","metadata":false},{"id":350863,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.3","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting residing in proximity to children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.3\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.3","metadata":false},{"id":350864,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.4","catch_line":"Sex offenses prohibiting working on school property; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.4","metadata":false},{"id":350865,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.5","catch_line":"Offenses prohibiting entry onto school or other property; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.5\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.5","metadata":false},{"id":350866,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-370.6","catch_line":"Penetration of mouth of child with lascivious intent; penalty","url":"\/18.2-370.6\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-370.6","metadata":false},{"id":350873,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371","catch_line":"Causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc.; penalty; abandoned infant","url":"\/18.2-371\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371","metadata":false},{"id":350868,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.1","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant","url":"\/18.2-371.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.1","metadata":false},{"id":350869,"structure_id":50182,"section_number":"18.2-371.2","catch_line":"Prohibiting sale or distribution, etc. of retail tobacco products and hemp products intended for smoking by persons under 21 years of age; civil penalties","url":"\/18.2-371.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Kozmina v. 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This law was first created in 2009. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 668<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":351837,"section_number":"19.2-392.12","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":356328,"section_number":"27-34.2","catch_line":"Power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants and to issue summons; limitation on authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-34.2\/"},{"id":356329,"section_number":"27-34.2:1","catch_line":"Police powers of fire marshals","order_by":null,"url":"\/27-34.2_1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1394841,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350872,"identifier":"18.2-371.4","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.4","url":"\/18.2-371.4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-371.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/4\/18.2-371.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-371.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> “Novelty lighter<\/span>” 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<\/span> may operate on any fuel, including butane, isobutene, or liquid fuel. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> “Novelty lighter<\/span>” 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Novelty lighters<\/span> that are available for purchase at a retail establishment shall be located in a place that is not open to the general public. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any individual who sells a novelty lighter<\/span> to a person he knows or has reason to know is a juvenile is subject to a civil penalty<\/span> of no more than $100. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> This section may be enforced by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, local fire marshals appointed pursuant to § 27-34.2<\/a> or 27-34.2:1<\/a>, or law<\/span>-enforcement officers. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROHIBITING THE SALE OF NOVELTY LIGHTERS TO JUVENILES (\u00a7 18.2-371.4)\n\nA. “Novelty lighter” means a mechanical or electrical device\ncontaining a combustible fuel typically used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or\npipes that is (i) designed to resemble a cartoon character, toy, gun, watch,\nmusical instrument, vehicle, animal, food, or beverage, or (ii) a fanciful\narticle that plays musical notes, has flashing lights, or has other entertaining\nfeatures that are appealing to or intended for use by juveniles. A novelty\nlighter may operate on any fuel, including butane, isobutene, or liquid fuel.\n\nB. “Novelty lighter” does not include (i) a lighter without fuel and\nthat is incapable of being fueled, (ii) a lighter lacking a device necessary to\nproduce combustion or a flame, (iii) a mechanical or electrical device primarily\nused to ignite fuel for fireplaces or for charcoal or gas grills, (iv) a lighter\nmanufactured prior to 1980, or (v) a standard disposable lighter that is printed\nor decorated with logos, labels, decals, or artwork, or heat shrinkable sleeves.\n\nC. Novelty lighters that are available for purchase at a retail establishment\nshall be located in a place that is not open to the general public.\n\nD. Any individual who sells a novelty lighter to a person he knows or has reason\nto know is a juvenile is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $100.\n\nE. This section may be enforced by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, local\nfire marshals appointed pursuant to § 27-34.2 or 27-34.2:1, or\nlaw-enforcement officers.\n\nHISTORY: 2009, c. 668.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}