
Quoting
cdwjava
Minors are used in cigarette decoys all the time. I have run these operations safely for more than 9 years without an incident.
We can "what if" a situation all day long. What if a robber comes in ... what if a jealous boyfriend comes after the decoy ... what if ...
The bottom line is that when these are done properly, the decoy is adequately monitored and briefed beforehand that there is very little REASONABLE chance of anything untoward happening.
Police use minors for cigarette stings, informants, volunteers, and all sorts of non-sworn personnel for various support assignments. There is nothing wrong, illegal or immoral about the act.
Oh, and not all these operations are run by the police ... my county's health department also runs them.
- Carl