California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §22980.2: (a) A person or entity that engages in the business of selling cigarettes or tobacco products in this state either without a valid license or after a license has been suspended or revoked, and each of

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Selling cigarettes or tobacco products without a valid license or after license suspension/revocation is a misdemeanor. Each day of continued unauthorized sales constitutes a separate violation and allows seizure of products.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person or entity that engages in the business of selling cigarettes or tobacco products in this state either without a valid license or after a license has been suspended or revoked, and each officer of any corporation that so engages in this business, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 22981. (b) Each day after notification by the board or by a law enforcement agency that a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, importer, retailer, or any other person required to be licensed under this division offers cigarette and tobacco products for sale or exchange without a valid license for the location from which they are offered for sale shall constitute a separate violation. (c) Continued sales or gifting of cigarettes and tobacco products either without a valid license or after a notification of suspension or revocation shall constitute a violation punishable as provided in Section 22981, and shall result in the seizure of all cigarettes and tobacco products in the possession of the person by the board or a law enforcement agency. Any cigarettes and tobacco products seized by the board or by a law enforcement agency shall be deemed forfeited. (d) For the purposes of this section, notwithstanding subdivision (v) of Section 22971, “tobacco products” includes a product or device as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 22950.5. (e) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2017.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.