What to do if I see underage smokers?
Earlier today, I was riding my bicycle on my local trail. I was riding over a bridge which goes over a creek, and I decided to go down to look at the creek because there was a pathway. I went down and I saw some 16 year old teenagers fishing and in their bait box, I saw a pack of cigarettes and they soon pulled some out and started smoking. I live in the State of Florida and Florida Statute Chapter 569.11 states that it is unlawful for anybody minor under the age of 18 to knowingly buy, sell, distribute, possess, or use any tobacco substance. I was not sure on what to do because I did not want to call my police department (even the non-emergency number) and bother them with something like this, so I decided to walk up to them, give a couple second lecture, tell them to rip the cigarettes in half and throw them away because they are underage and they are possessing them illegally, and to leave the trail in 5 minutes or I would call the police. Sure enough, they did leave, but what should I have done? Should I have called the police? Would the police department mind if I contacted them about something like this?
Oh, and just to let you know, if I see people breaking the law, I confront them on it. If somebody breaks the law, it’s my business and I have every right to get involved in their business.
i would say its your choice to force yourself in other peoples business, but remember karma has away of coming back and biting you in the ass. Confronting them on something like that is ridiculous they are not hurting anyone but themselves.
umm… i’m pretty sure its legal for any age to smoke, they just can’t buy it.
I suggest you leave them alone. You never know what they might do if you interfere. Also, I’m not sure but I think it’s okay for under-aged people to smoke, but its illegal for them to buy, or sell it.
How did you know they were 16?
No, don’t waist the cop’s times on underage cigarette smoking. Seriously, just let it pass. And don’t confront them. Would you want some stranger getting in your face about your personal actions? Probably not.
You’re not their Parents, teacher, or preacher… It’s certainly NOT your business. If you feel compelled to report them, do so.
Confronting someone – is a good way to get killed.
You should move along and mind your own business. They are not harming you by smoking it and it is HIGHLY unlikely the police will do anything about it. They are not going to waste bringing a police officer out to give a couple citations to a couple juveniles that are smoking. You should deal with yourself and move along. You will get yourself beat up or killed if you bother the wrong people. There is no point in you saying anything to them. I highly doubt you are perfect yourself and maybe should look in the mirror before pointing the finger at others. Pathetic.
Show them your driver’s license and make a citizens arrest. Then… prepare for the beat down you will get.
wow…
lighten up. it’s not like they were smoking pot or having wild sex – they were fishing. that’s like calling somebody out on having a casual beer with their meal – it’s harmless, probably just social, and nothing to over react about.
I think that you should let them be. I know that you feel like its your business to confront them but it could be dangerous for you.
wow dude i dont smoke but your an a$$..and if i did i would put out my current cig and but in my tackle box and keep fishing but dude…u dont tell ppl fishing to leave thats just rude if i were them i wowuld have kicked your a$$ and run or hide ciggs and confront cops
i glad there still people around with moral character.
Of course, he was breaking the law and you had the right to confront him with it. But, is it really that big of a deal? In a lot of places it is legal to smoke from your 16th, and as long as he doesn’t hurt others with it, which he didn’t because he was outside, alone, then I don’t think it’s much of a problem. If he wants to worsen his health, let him, isn’t freedom important anymore? Do we really have to let our lives be controlled by what the government says? I certainly hope not.
of course. u have to sue or threat the cigarretes seller. its ILLEGAL so if u know who’s the one selling cigs to the underage kids, then u have to tell him to stop or u will tell the police. well at least thats what I’d do
it’s good that you’re concerned. i don’t like smokers. it’s good that they left but next time i wouldn’t confront anyone smoking because they probably could hurt you. unless if you’re really fit. The police wouldn’t do anything.
and everyone on here shouldn’t get mad at what they did. it’s good when people care.
Laws are broken all the time…don’t worry about it. Seriously you don’t have the right to get in their business. Most kids smoke some growing up…its part of growing up…you messed up a perfectly good fishing trip. And how did you know they were 16?
I understand where you are coming from and I understand your decision to say something, though I think you could have chilled a bit. It’s their choice to make a stupid decision to harm their body. I personally would have let it go and ignored them. If I knew the kids then yeah, I would call them stupid. I think kids need more adults talking to them about stuff like that.. So good for you on that part. However, saying that you would call the police is a bit extreme. The kids just moved their party; who knows if they stopped smoking. But maybe something you said stuck. I do know that most police officers would be annoyed by such a call depending on the size of your city. The bigger the city, the busier the cop, you know?
Encouraging kids to make the right decision is always a great way to go, no threats needed. : ) Now, if I saw some kids shooting heroine, tripping on acid, beating someone up, threatening someone, stealing, or something extreme.. then that’s another story.. by all means call the cops! : )
As I see it, there is nothing you can do. Underage smoking is a very common habits picked up by teenagers and if they decided to gang rob or fight or rape somebody, it will be worse than smoking. To contain or minimise underage smoking, it is the job for your government to educate them? If you can’t stand lawbreakers and wish to help in executing the law, then it is better to be an official law enforcer yourself instead of taking law into your own hands. Have you heard of people got killed or seriously injured when they perform a good deeds?
Wow, this is simply AMAZING. The EXACT SAME THING happened to you yesterday!
What are the chances of THAT?
Yup, you better do something, those teenage smokers are just gonna keep doing it, defying the law. If you don’t stop them, next thing you know they’ll be spitting on the sidewalk or, god forbid, littering and maybe even playing loud music.
I know I’ll sleep better tonight with you on the job.
Breaking the law, what the law is isn’t really ever the will of the people or the will of an individual, just as the moral compass of two people rarely align.
To be specific in this situation, cigarettes aren’t just bad for people who are 17 and younger just as alcohol isn’t just bad for people who are 20 and under. Cigarettes and alcohol are a few of the worst preventable causes of death in the sense that they kill (combined) nearly 700,000 people in the US each year.
If you want to protect someone, get rid of alcohol and cigarettes for everyone, not for people who you assume to be 16 years old.
The fact is this, your body is your own, if I went to you and found you eating a big fat greasy burger and tried to take it from you or I will call the cops you’d laugh in my face despite the fact that obesity kills nearly 400,000 people a year in the US. I cannot control you just as you cannot control them. Those kids will smoke again, and likely with a kick because they are rebelling against some jerk who thinks hes god of the world and of the forests in it.
What should you have done? Smiled and walked past them.
WALK AWAY DUDE