Last updated: November 26, 2019

Penalties

Sanctions

Sales Restrictions

Fine, Business License suspension or revocation, Jail, Other

(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)

Analysis

A person who commits an offense relating to sales restrictions is subject on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. Conviction on indictment results in a fine not exceeding $20,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding four years, or both. In addition, in the case of sales by vending machine or internet, a court can order the confiscation of all tobacco products under control of the person who commits a violation.

The law provides that a license shall be revoked if the Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Unit determines that the licensee has contravened the provisions of the law.

Location-based Sales Restrictions

Fine, Business License suspension or revocation, Jail, Other

(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)

Analysis

A person who commits an offense relating to location-based sales restrictions is subject on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. Conviction on indictment results in a fine not exceeding $20,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding four years, or both. In addition, a court can order the confiscation of all tobacco products under control of the person who commits a violation.

The law provides that a license shall be revoked if the Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Unit determines that the licensee has contravened the provisions of the law.

Minimum Retail Package Size

Fine, Business License suspension or revocation, Jail, Other

(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)

Analysis

A person who commits an offense relating to the minimum retail package size is subject on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. The court may order confiscation and forfeiture of a tobacco product packaged or labeled in a manner that does not conform with the law.

The law provides that a license shall be revoked if the Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Unit determines that the licensee has contravened the provisions of the law.

Minimum Legal Sales Age

Fine, Business License suspension or revocation, Jail, Other

(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)

Analysis

A person who sells a tobacco product to someone below the age of 18 is subject on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years, or both. Conviction on indictment results in a fine not exceeding $20,000, a term of imprisonment not exceeding four years, or both. In addition, a court can order the confiscation of all tobacco products under control of the person who commits a violation.

The law provides that a license shall be revoked if the Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Unit determines that the licensee has contravened the provisions of the law.