Section 5-217 - Sales or distribution of other tobacco products. - Maryland Statutes

§ 16.5-217. Sales or distribution of other tobacco products.
 

(a)  Applicability of section.- This section applies to a person who is engaged in the business of selling or distributing other tobacco products. 

(b)  Prohibition; exception.-  

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person covered under this section may not: 

(i) sell or ship other tobacco products, ordered or purchased by mail or through a computer network, telephonic network, or other electronic network by a consumer or other unlicensed recipient, directly to a consumer or other unlicensed recipient in this State; or 

(ii) cause other tobacco products, ordered or purchased by mail or through a computer network, telephonic network, or other electronic network by a consumer or other unlicensed recipient, to be shipped directly to a consumer or other unlicensed recipient in this State. 

(2) A licensed other tobacco products retailer or licensed tobacconist may deliver not more than two packages of other tobacco products directly to a consumer if the delivery is made by the licensed other tobacco products retailer or licensed tobacconist or an employee of the licensed other tobacco products retailer or licensed tobacconist. 

(c)  Penalties.-  

(1) A licensee who sells or ships other tobacco products in violation of this section or causes other tobacco products to be shipped in violation of this section is: 

(i) subject to discipline by the Comptroller under § 16.5-208 of this subtitle; and 

(ii) guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each package of other tobacco products transported or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both. 

(2) A person other than a licensee who sells or ships other tobacco products in violation of this section or causes other tobacco products to be shipped in violation of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each package of other tobacco products transported or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both. 
 

[2010, ch. 72, § 5; ch. 388.]