California · Penal Code

PEN §308.1: (a) Notwithstanding any other law, no person shall sell, offer for sale, distribute, or import any tobacco product commonly referred to as “bidis” or “beedies,” unless that tobacco product is sold, of

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

No person may sell, offer for sale, distribute, or import bidis (tobacco wrapped in specific leaves) unless sold in age-restricted establishments. Violation is a misdemeanor subject to civil penalties up to $2,000.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, no person shall sell, offer for sale, distribute, or import any tobacco product commonly referred to as “bidis” or “beedies,” unless that tobacco product is sold, offered for sale, or intended to be sold in a business establishment that prohibits the presence of persons under 18 years of age on its premises. (b) For purposes of this section, “bidis” or “beedies” means any of the following: (1) A product containing tobacco that is wrapped in temburni leaf (diospyros melanoxylon) or tendu leaf (diospyros exculpra). (2) A product that is marketed and sold as “bidis” or “beedies.” (c) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is also subject to a civil action brought by the Attorney General, a city attorney, county counsel, or district attorney for an injunction and a civil penalty of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) per violation. This subdivision does not affect any other remedies available for a violation of this section.

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.