§ 1-1203. Distribution of tobacco products

   (a) Scope of section. -- This section applies only in:

   (1) Carroll County;

   (2) Cecil County;

   (3) Garrett County; and

   (4) St. Mary's County.

(b) Application of section. -- Subsection (c)(3) of this section does not apply to the distribution of a coupon that is redeemable for a tobacco product if the coupon:

   (1) is contained in a newspaper, magazine, or other type of publication and the coupon is incidental to the primary purpose of the publication; or

   (2) is sent through the mail.

(c) Prohibition. -- A person may not:

   (1) distribute a tobacco product to a minor, unless the minor is acting solely as the agent of the minor's employer who is engaged in the business of distributing tobacco products;

   (2) distribute cigarette rolling papers to a minor; or

   (3) distribute to a minor a coupon redeemable for a tobacco product.

(d) Defense. -- A person has not violated this section if:

   (1) the person examined the driver's license or other valid government-issued identification presented by the recipient of a tobacco product, cigarette rolling paper, or coupon redeemable for a tobacco product; and

   (2) the license or other identification positively identified the recipient as being at least 18 years old.

(e) Civil penalty. --

   (1) In Carroll County and St. Mary's County, a person who violates this section commits a civil infraction and is subject to a civil penalty of:

      (i) $ 300 for the first violation; and

      (ii) $ 500 for any subsequent violation within 24 months after the previous citation.

   (2) In Cecil County, a person who violates this section commits a civil infraction and is subject to a civil penalty of:

      (i) $ 300 for the first violation;

      (ii) $ 500 for a second violation; and

      (iii) $ 750 for any subsequent violation.

   (3) In Garrett County, a person who violates this section commits a civil infraction and is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $ 300.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 24, § 15-102.1(b)-(f); 2013, ch. 119, § 2.