No need to get paranoid over scales. I own them. My 75 year old father owns a set also. Nothing illegal about it at all. There are several uses for a scale that are within the law so why worry? I originally bought mine to weigh packages, but it's good for weighing baccy and food too. I was a bit of a fatty at 273 lbs in January. Now I'm down to 218 since I've been on weight watchers for men. Scales are pretty much a must for anyone trying to lose weight so you can get your portions right.