16-10-306. Cigarette and tobacco product labels -- federal requirements -- penalty. - Montana Statutes

     16-10-306. Cigarette and tobacco product labels -- federal requirements -- penalty. (1) A person may not knowingly import into this state for sale or other distribution any package of cigarettes or tobacco product that violates any federal:
     (a) tax, trademark, or copyright law; or
     (b) requirement for the placement of labels, warnings, or other information, including health hazards, that must be on the container or individual package.
     (2) A person may not sell or offer to sell a package of cigarettes or tobacco product or affix the tax insignia on a package of cigarettes, as provided in 16-11-113, knowing that:
     (a) the package is marked as manufactured for use outside of the United States;
     (b) any label or language has been altered from the manufacturer's original packaging and labeling to conceal the fact that the package was manufactured for use outside of the United States; or
     (c) a stamp, label, or decal was affixed to conceal the fact that the package was manufactured for use outside of the United States.
     (3) A package of cigarettes or tobacco product found in this state that is marked for use outside of the United States is contraband and may be seized without a warrant by the department, any agent of the department, or any peace officer. Any cigarettes or tobacco products seized as contraband must be destroyed by the department.
     (4) (a) The department may proceed against a person who violates this section through a civil action under the civil enforcement provisions of Title 16, chapter 10, part 4.
     (b) A violation of this section is criminally punishable by a fine in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
     (5) For the purposes of this section, "cigarette" has the meaning defined in 16-11-102 and "tobacco product" means all products containing tobacco for human consumption or use except cigarettes.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 465, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 511, L. 2005.