Excellent post Gordon...
GT>Mike:
  >Underage smoking is called a "status crime."  what that means is that it
  >is only a violation of the law due to the age of the actor, rather than
  >due to the action itself.  It is very similar to underage drinking, or
  >being a runaway.  If you are over 21, you can drink, and it isn't a
  >crime.  if you are over 18, you can leave home and stay away as long as
  >you like.  If you fall below the threshold ages, the government has
  >decided that you are not old enough to make informed decisions about
  >drinking, smoking, or leaving home.  I'm not going to judge whether this
  >is right or wrong, it is simply the law.
[snip...]
GT>In PA, underage smoking, unlike underage drinking, is not a crime.
  >Underage purchase of cigarettes, or buying cigarettes for minors IS a
  >crime.  As a police officer, I can not charge a kid for simply smoking.
  >If Icatch him buying smokes, or catch a store selling to him, then I can
  >charge someone with a crime.
Have you, or do you know of any LEO that has ever arrested a merchant
for selling cigarettes to a minor?
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