(1) A person may not knowingly import into this state for sale or other distribution any package of cigarettes or tobacco product that violates any federal:
- (a) tax, trademark, or copyright law; or
- (b) requirement for the placement of labels, warnings, or other information, including health hazards, that must be on the container or individual package.
(2) A person may not sell or offer to sell a package of cigarettes or tobacco product or affix the tax insignia on a package of cigarettes, as provided in 16-11-113, knowing that:
- (a) the package is marked as manufactured for use outside of the United States;
- (b) any label or language has been altered from the manufacturer's original packaging and labeling to conceal the fact that the package was manufactured for use outside of the United States; or
- (c) a stamp, label, or decal was affixed to conceal the fact that the package was manufactured for use outside of the United States.
- (3) A package of cigarettes or tobacco product found in this state that is marked for use outside of the United States is contraband and may be seized without a warrant by the department, any agent of the department, or any peace officer. Any cigarettes or tobacco products seized as contraband must be destroyed by the department.
(4)
- (a) The department may proceed against a person who violates this section through a civil action under the civil enforcement provisions of Title 16, chapter 10, part 4.
- (b) A violation of this section is criminally punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
- (5) For the purposes of this section, "cigarette" has the meaning defined in 16-11-102 and "tobacco product" means all products containing tobacco for human consumption or use except cigarettes.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 465, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 511, L. 2005.