§ 26-57-202 - Legislative findings and purpose. - Arkansas Statutes

26-57-202. Legislative findings and purpose.

(a) It is recognized, found, and determined by the General Assembly that:

(1) The Surgeon General has determined that the smoking of cigarettes is detrimental to the health of the smoker;

(2) The General Assembly had already recognized this hazard many years ago when it enacted 5-27-227 regulating the sale of tobacco to minors, 20-27-701 -- 20-27-703 [repealed] establishing a policy for public smoking, and this subchapter, to provide for close supervision and control of the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products;

(3) The state has a very valid governmental interest in preserving and promoting the public health and welfare of its citizens; and

(4) It is the responsibility of the General Assembly to enact legislation to protect and further this essential governmental interest.

(b) It is therefore the intent of this subchapter to:

(1) Provide for the close supervision and control of the licensing of persons to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products in this state in order to assure that cigarettes and other tobacco products distributed in the state are fresh, not contaminated, and are properly taxed, stamped, stored, and distributed only to persons authorized to receive these products; and

(2) Impose licenses, fees, taxes, and restrictions on the privilege of dealing in or otherwise doing business in tobacco products in order to promote the public health and welfare of the citizens of this state and to protect the revenue collection procedures incorporated within this subchapter.