No person may engage in or conduct the business of purchasing, selling, consigning, or distributing cigarettes in this state without a license under this chapter, or providing consumers with access to a commercial cigarette-making machine without a license under this chapter. A violation of this section is a class C felony.

Effective date—2012 2nd sp.s. c 4: See note following RCW 82.24.030.

Policy—Intent—1986 c 321: “It is the policy of the legislature to encourage competition by reducing the government’s role in price setting. It is the legislature’s intent to leave price setting mainly to the forces of the marketplace. In the field of cigarette sales, the legislature finds that the goal of open competition should be balanced against the public policy disallowing use of cigarette sales as loss leaders. To balance these public policies, it is the intent of the legislature to repeal the unfair cigarette sales below cost act and to declare the use of cigarettes as loss leaders as an unfair practice under the consumer protection act.” [ 1986 c 321 § 1.]

Savings—1986 c 321: “A cigarette wholesalers or retailers license issued by the department of licensing under RCW 19.91.130 in good standing on the July 1, 1991, constitutes a license under RCW 82.24.500.” [ 1986 c 321 § 11.]

Effective date—1986 c 321: “Sections 1 and 4 through 14 of this act shall take effect on July 1, 1991.” [ 1986 c 321 § 15.]