§ 4-75-708 - Sales at less than cost, rebates, concessions, etc. -- Penalty. - Arkansas Statutes

4-75-708. Sales at less than cost, rebates, concessions, etc. -- Penalty.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any wholesaler, retailer, or salesperson with intent to injure competitors or destroy or substantially lessen competition to advertise, offer to sell, or sell, at retail or wholesale, cigarettes at less than cost to the wholesaler or retailer, as the case may be.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any wholesaler, retailer, or salesperson to offer a rebate in price, to give a rebate in price, to offer a concession of any kind, or to give a concession of any kind or nature whatsoever in connection with the sale of cigarettes with intent to injure competitors or destroy or substantially lessen competition.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any retail dealer to induce or attempt to induce or to procure or attempt to procure:

(1) The purchase of cigarettes at a price less than cost to the wholesaler; or

(2) Any rebate or concession of any kind in connection with the purchase of cigarettes.

(d) Any wholesaler, retailer, or salesperson who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(e) The following shall be prima facie evidence of intent to injure competitors and destroy or substantially limit competition:

(1) The advertisement, offer for sale, or sale of cigarettes by any wholesaler, retailer, or salesperson at less than cost to him or her;

(2) Any offer of a rebate in price or the giving of a rebate in price or an offer of a concession or the giving of a concession of any kind in connection with the sale of cigarettes; or

(3) Inducing or attempting to induce or procuring or attempting to procure the purchase of cigarettes at a price less than cost to the wholesaler or the retailer.