{"data":{"id":"us-va/va.-code-18.2-371.4","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"Va. Code § 18.2-371.4","heading":"Prohibiting the sale of novelty lighters to juveniles","body":"A. \"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.B. \"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.C. 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.D. 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.E. 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.2009, c. 668.","path":["Title 18.2. CRIMES AND OFFENSES GENERALLY","Chapter 8. CRIMES INVOLVING MORALS AND DECENCY","Article 4. FAMILY OFFENSES; CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN, ETC."],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-371.4/","current_through":"9/4/2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:14:34Z","sha256":"d68984988d869a14b10a6b3f170b8736c263939ee89ebbcc5598e53b2fed067d","source_id":"us-va","stale":true,"prev":"us-va/va.-code-18.2-371.3","next":"us-va/va.-code-18.2-372"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}