Alcohol and Youth: What You Need to Know
The Alcohol/Tobacco Enforcement Coordinator oversees initiatives to ensure retailer compliance with state and county alcohol and tobacco laws. This unit, supported by Sheriff’s Office Cadets, Correctional Officers, and Deputies, conducts inspections, surveillance, covert operations, and compliance checks while collaborating on community-based initiatives.
A key focus is working with Alcohol Beverage Board (ABB) licensed establishments to uphold regulations and maintain partnerships with civic and governmental organizations. Recognizing the ongoing challenge of underage drinking, the Sheriff's Office works with community intervention groups to prevent youth access to alcohol and tobacco through retailer education and law enforcement efforts.
Laws and Consequences
Possession of Alcohol Under 18: Civil Citation and referral to the Department of Juvenile Services.
Possession of Alcohol 18 to 21: Civil Citation and a possible $500.00 fine.
Furnishing Alcohol to Someone Under 21: Civil Citation and a fine of $2,500.00 for first offense and $5,000.00 for the second offense.
Why Report Underage Drinking?
Alcohol use is associated with many adolescent risk behaviors, including other drug use and delinquency, weapon carrying and fighting, and perpetrating or being the victim of date rape.
Possible Consequences of Underage Drinking
- Adult alcoholism
- Brain damage
- Loss of driving privileges
- Poor school performance or failure to complete high school
- Risky decision making (e.g. riding with an intoxicated driver)
- Suicide
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Violence
Alcohol is a depressant. It decreases the heart rate, reduces reaction time, slurs speech, and reduces body temperature. Most important, alcohol is a drug, and drinking alcohol in large quantities can result in alcohol poisoning. If a person passes out or vomits, get help. Call 911. Never leave him or her to "sleep it off."
How to Report Underage Drinking:
- Call Emergency 911, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff's Office at 301-475-8008.
- Call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333 or text "TIP239" plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637). All calls and texts to Crime Solvers are anonymous.
Practice Safe Decision Making
- Take responsibility for your own actions, and act responsibly.
- Don't fall victim to peer pressure. The truth is that not everyone drinks.
- Have a code with your parents so that you can call them and alert them to a dangerous situation without having everyone else know.
- Don’t get in a car with someone who has been drinking.
- Never drink and drive.
For More Information
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving – www.madd.org
- Students Against Destructive Decisions – www.sadd.org
- Stop Underage Drinking Portal of Federal Resources – www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
- National Organizations for Youth Safety noys.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration www.samhsa.gov
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism www.niaaa.nih.gov
Tobacco and Youth: What You Need to Know
Maryland’s Tobacco 21 law went into effect, October 1, 2019. The law increases the legal sales age of tobacco products to 21 years but exempts active-duty members of the military who are at least 18 years old and who provide valid military ID upon purchase.
- For purposes of the Business Regulation, Criminal Law, and Health-General Articles, the new law alters the term “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems” to “Electronic Smoking Devices” and changes the definition to: “A device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized nicotine to an individual inhaling from the device. It includes an electronic cigarette, an electronic cigar, an electronic cigarillo, an electronic pipe, an electronic hookah, a vape pen, and vaping liquid AND any component, part, or accessory of such a device regardless of whether or not it is sold separately, including any substance intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during use of the device.”
- For purposes of the Business Regulation, Criminal Law, and Health-General Articles, “Electronic Smoking Devices” are now encompassed in the term “tobacco product.”
- Criminal Law, §10-108 was repealed; those under the legal age of sale can no longer be cited for their purchase, use, or possession of these products.
When issuing a citation pursuant to Health-General, §24-305 or §24-307, the store owner/licensee is now responsible for the civil penalty, whether or not they personally made the illegal sale. The clerk will no longer be responsible for the fine.
Military Exemption Members of active-duty military who are at least 18 years of age may continue to purchase tobacco products so long as they present valid military identification. The only acceptable valid military identification for this purpose is the common access card, specifically the “Armed forces of the United States Geneva Conventions Identification Card.
Youth Intervention
There is no longer a penalty for the purchase, use, or possession of tobacco products by those under the age of 18, nor is there a penalty for those under the age of 21 who purchase, use, or possess these products. In the school setting, if a student is caught using or possessing these products, they may be disciplined in accordance with school policy for violating a rule on campus. Many local health departments host education and cessation courses and frequently partner with schools and provide these services to students upon referral. Enforcement The statutes used for issuing citations remain unchanged.
- Health-General, §24-305 should be used to enforce civil citations for illegal sales of ESDs. Law enforcement, county health officers, or designees of county health officers may issue the citation. Only the store owner/licensee is responsible for payment of the fine.
- Health-General, §24-307 is used to enforce civil citations for illegal sales of tobacco products. Law enforcement, county health officers, or designees of county health officers may issue the citation. Only the store owner/licensee is responsible for payment of the fine.
- Criminal Law, §10-107 should be used to enforce civil citations for illegal sales of tobacco products (including ESDs) to minors. Only sworn law enforcement may issue the civil citation. Either the clerk, store owner/licensee, or both may be cited and the party cited is responsible for the cost of the penalty. The fees imposed also remain unchanged. If cited under any of the 3 statutes the fee schedule is as follows:
- $300 for a first violation;
- $1000 for a second violation within 24 months of the first violation; and
- $3000 for each subsequent violation occurring within 24 months after the preceding violation Local Authority
- Local governments with ordinances prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 18 years may continue to enforce these laws. You are not required to enforce the state law. However, if you wish to pursue amending your local law to reflect the provisions in the statewide Tobacco 21 law, the Legal Resource Center can offer assistance.