Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) For the purposes of this section, “novelty lighter” shall mean a mechanical or electrical device manufactured for the purpose of producing a flame to light cigarettes, cigars or pipes and which, due to the physical or audio features of the device, excluding its capability of producing a flame, would reasonably be expected to cause the lighter to be appealing or attractive to a child under the age of 10 including, but not limited to, lighters that resemble a cartoon character, toy, gun, watch, musical instrument, vehicle, animal, beverage, sporting equipment or that is capable of playing musical notes or displaying flashing lights.
(b) Whoever manufactures, offers for sale, sells, exchanges, gives away, stores or transports any novelty lighter shall be punished by a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.
(c) This section shall not apply: (i) to a novelty lighter manufactured before January 1, 1980 and which is considered a collectible item within the collectible trade; (ii) to a disposable or refillable lighter with a logo, label, decal or artwork printed thereon or on heat shrinkable sleeves attached thereto but which does not otherwise resemble a novelty lighter; or (iii) if not intended for sale or use in the commonwealth, to the interstate transportation of a novelty lighter or to the temporary storage of a novelty lighter while in interstate commerce.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 148, § 60 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ma/part-i-administration-of-the-government-ch-1-182/ma-gen-laws-ch-148-sect-60/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)