(a) Every tobacco product manufacturer, as defined in section 4-28h, selling cigarettes to consumers within this state, whether directly or through a distributor, dealer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries, shall secure a cigarette manufacturer's license from the Commissioner of Revenue Services. Such license shall be renewable annually. The annual fee for a cigarette manufacturer's license shall be five thousand two hundred fifty dollars. The commissioner shall not include or retain in the directory of tobacco product manufacturers developed and maintained in accordance with section 4-28m the name or brand families of any tobacco product manufacturer that has failed to secure and retain a cigarette manufacturer's license in accordance with this section.

(b) The commissioner shall not issue or reissue a cigarette manufacturer's license to an applicant if any of the following conditions apply: (1) The applicant is neither (A) a participating manufacturer, as defined in Subsection II(jj) of the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in section 4-28h, nor (B) in full compliance with section 4-28i; (2) the applicant has imported cigarettes into the United States in violation of 19 USC 1681a; or (3) the applicant has imported or manufactured cigarettes that do not fully comply with the federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, 15 USC 1331 et seq.

(c) Such license shall be valid for a period beginning with the date of license to the thirtieth day of September next succeeding the date of license unless sooner revoked in the same manner provided in section 12-295 for revocation of the license of a dealer or distributor or unless the person to whom it was issued discontinues business. Upon revocation or discontinuance of business, the holder of the license shall immediately return such license to the commissioner. In the event of mutilation or destruction of such license, a duplicate copy, marked as such, shall be issued by said commissioner upon application accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars.

(P.A. 03-271, S. 2; P.A. 05-260, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 153.)

History: P.A. 03-271 effective October 1, 2004; P.A. 05-260 amended Subsec. (a) to exclude from directory of tobacco product manufacturers those not licensed, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee for cigarette manufacturer's license from $5,000 to $5,250 and amended Subsec. (c) to increase fee for duplicate copy from $5 to $15.