Sec. 12-286a. Notice of restriction on sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Investigation by Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Penalties. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 12-286a. Notice of restriction on sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Investigation by Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Penalties. (a) Each distributor and each dealer, as defined in section 12-285, shall place and maintain in legible condition at each point of sale of cigarettes to consumers, including the front of each vending machine, and each restricted cigarette vending machine a notice which states (1) that the sale, giving or delivering of tobacco products, including cigarettes, to any person under eighteen years of age is prohibited by section 53-344, (2) the purchase or misrepresentation of age by a person under eighteen years of age to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products is prohibited by said section 53-344, and (3) the penalties and fines for violating said section 53-344 and section 12-295a.

      (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

      (c) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may investigate any alleged violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and, if there appears to be reasonable cause therefor, on reasonable notice to any person accused of any such violation, may make complaint to the prosecuting authority having jurisdiction of any such complaint or may, after notice and a hearing as provided in section 20-321, fine a distributor or dealer who violates said subsection (a) one hundred dollars per violation. Each day a distributor or dealer fails to post a notice in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be a separate violation.

      (P.A. 92-66, S. 3; P.A. 96-240, S. 2, 10; P.A. 07-175, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 96-240 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to restricted cigarette vending machines and to require notice of penalties for certain violations, effective June 6, 1996; P.A. 07-175 added Subsec. (c) authorizing Commissioner of Consumer Protection to conduct investigations, and impose penalties for violations.