{"code":"BPC","codeName":"Business and Professions Code","section":"22980.2","citation":"Bus. & Prof. Code, § 22980.2","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 8.6. CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS LICENSING ACT OF 2003 [22970. - 22991.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-8.6"},{"name":"CHAPTER 5. Inspections, Prohibitions, and Penalties [22980. - 22983.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-8.6/chapter-5"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 269, Sec. 9.   (AB 573)   Effective January 1, 2026.","effective":"2026-01-01","html":"<p>(a) A person or entity that engages in the business of selling cigarettes or tobacco products in this state either without a valid license or after a license has been suspended or revoked, and each officer of any corporation that so engages in this business, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section <a href=\"/bpc/22981\">22981</a>.</p><p>(b) Each day after notification by the board or by a law enforcement agency that a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, importer, retailer, or any other person required to be licensed under this division offers cigarette and tobacco products for sale or exchange without a valid license for the location from which they are offered for sale shall constitute a separate violation.</p><p>(c) Continued sales or gifting of cigarettes and tobacco products either without a valid license or after a notification of suspension or revocation shall constitute a violation punishable as provided in Section <a href=\"/bpc/22981\">22981</a>, and shall result in the seizure of all cigarettes and tobacco products in the possession of the person by the board or a law enforcement agency. Any cigarettes and tobacco products seized by the board or by a law enforcement agency shall be deemed forfeited.</p><p>(d) For the purposes of this section, notwithstanding subdivision (v) of Section <a href=\"/bpc/22971\">22971</a>, “tobacco products” includes a product or device as defined in subdivision (d) of Section <a href=\"/bpc/22950.5\">22950.5</a>.</p><p>(e) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2017.</p>","text":"(a) A person or entity that engages in the business of selling cigarettes or tobacco products in this state either without a valid license or after a license has been suspended or revoked, and each officer of any corporation that so engages in this business, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 22981. (b) Each day after notification by the board or by a law enforcement agency that a manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, importer, retailer, or any other person required to be licensed under this division offers cigarette and tobacco products for sale or exchange without a valid license for the location from which they are offered for sale shall constitute a separate violation. (c) Continued sales or gifting of cigarettes and tobacco products either without a valid license or after a notification of suspension or revocation shall constitute a violation punishable as provided in Section 22981, and shall result in the seizure of all cigarettes and tobacco products in the possession of the person by the board or a law enforcement agency. Any cigarettes and tobacco products seized by the board or by a law enforcement agency shall be deemed forfeited. (d) For the purposes of this section, notwithstanding subdivision (v) of Section 22971, “tobacco products” includes a product or device as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 22950.5. (e) This section shall be operative on January 1, 2017.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/inspections-prohibitions-and-penalties-22980-2","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}