Missouri § 196.1032 - Remedies for violations — distribution of cigarettes prohibited, when — violations, penalty.

§ 196.1032. Remedies for violations — distribution of cigarettes prohibited, when — violations, penalty.

1.  In addition to, or in lieu of, any other civil or criminal remedy provided by law, upon a determination that a stamping agent or any person has violated subsection 3 of section 196.1023 or any regulation adopted under subsection 3 of section 196.1023, the director may revoke or suspend the license of any stamping agent in the manner provided in subsection 3 of section 149.035.  Each stamp affixed and each sale, or offer to sell, cigarettes in violation of subsection 3 of section 196.1023 shall constitute a separate violation.  Upon a determination of a violation of subsection 3 of section 196.1023 or any regulations adopted thereunder, the director may impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of five hundred percent of the retail value of the cigarettes or five thousand dollars for each such violation.

2.  Any cigarettes deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been sold, offered for sale, or possessed for sale in this state in violation of subsection 3 of section 196.1023 shall be contraband and such cigarettes shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided in chapter 149 and all such cigarettes so seized and forfeited shall be destroyed and not resold.

3.  The attorney general, on behalf of the director, may seek an injunction to restrain a threatened or actual violation of subsection 3 of section 196.1023, or subsection 1 or 4 of section 196.1029 by a stamping agent and to compel a stamping agent to comply with such provisions.  In any successful action brought under this section, the state may be entitled to recover the costs of investigation and action including reasonable attorney fees.

4.  It shall be unlawful for a person to sell or distribute cigarettes, or acquire, hold, own, possess, transport, import, or cause to be imported, cigarettes that the person knows or should know are intended for distribution or sale in the state in violation of subsection 3 of section 196.1023.  A violation of this subsection shall be a class A misdemeanor.

5.  A person who violates subsection 3 of section 196.1023 shall be deemed to have engaged in an unfair practice in violation of section 407.020.

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(L. 2010 S.B. 884)

Effective 7-07-10

---- end of effective  07 Jul 2010 ----

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