§ 70.155.105. Delivery sale of cigarettes -- Requirements, unlawful practices -- Penalties -- Enforcement
(1) It is unlawful for a person who mails, ships, or otherwise delivers cigarettes to fail to:
(a) Verify the age of the receiver of the cigarettes upon delivery; and
(b) Obtain in writing, before the first delivery sale of cigarettes, verification of the receiver's address and that the receiver of the cigarettes is not a minor. The statement must also confirm that the purchaser understands: (i) That signing another person's name to the certification is a violation of RCW 9A.60.040(1)(a); (ii) that the sale of cigarettes to a minor is a violation of RCW 26.28.080; (iii) that the purchase of cigarettes by minors is a violation of RCW 70.155.080; and (iv) that he or she has the option to receive mailings from a tobacco company about tobacco products.
(2) It is unlawful for a person to mail, ship, or otherwise deliver cigarettes in connection with a delivery sale unless before the first delivery sale to the consumer that person:
(a) Either verifies the information contained in the certification provided by the prospective consumer in subsection (1) of this section against a commercially available database, or obtains a photocopy of an officially issued identification containing the bearer's age, signature, and photograph. The only forms of identification that are acceptable as proof of age for the purchase for tobacco products are: (i) A liquor control authority card of identification issued by a state of the United States or a province of Canada, (ii) a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card issued by a state of the United States or a province of Canada, (iii) a United States military identification card, (iv) a passport, or (v) a merchant marine identification card issued by the United States coast guard;
(b) Provides to the prospective consumer through electronic mail or other means a notice that meets the requirements of subsection (3) of this section; and
(c) In the case of an order for cigarettes pursuant to an advertisement on the internet, receives payment for the delivery sale from the prospective consumer by a credit card or debit card, or by check that has been issued in the prospective consumer's name.
(3) The notice required under subsection (2)(b) of this section must include:
(a) A prominent and clearly legible statement that cigarette sales to minors are illegal;
(b) A prominent and clearly legible statement that consists of one of the warnings set forth in section 4(a)(1) of the federal cigarette labeling and advertising act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1333(a)(1)) rotated on a quarterly basis;
(c) A prominent and clearly legible statement that sales of cigarettes are restricted to those consumers who provide verifiable proof of age in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; and
(d) A prominent and clearly legible statement that cigarette sales are subject to tax pursuant to chapters 82.24 and 82.12 RCW, with an explanation of how the tax has been or is to be paid with respect to a delivery sale.
(4) It is unlawful for a person who mails, ships, or otherwise delivers cigarettes in connection with a delivery sale to fail to:
(a) Include as part of the bill of lading, or other shipping documents, a clear and conspicuous statement that states: "Cigarettes: Washington Law Prohibits Shipping to Individuals Under 18, and Requires the Payment of all Applicable Taxes";
(b) Contract only with private carriers who employ delivery agents who will verify the receiver of the cigarettes is not a minor upon delivery. The only forms of identification that are acceptable as proof of age for the purchase for tobacco products are: (i) A liquor control authority card of identification issued by a state of the United States or a province of Canada, (ii) a driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card issued by a state of the United States or a province of Canada, (iii) a United States military identification card, (iv) a passport, or (v) a merchant marine identification card issued by the United States coast guard;
(c) Provide to the delivery service retained for the delivery sale evidence of full compliance with this section.
(5)(a) Before making delivery sales or mailings, shipping, or otherwise delivering cigarettes to a Washington address in connection with any sales, any person who mails, ships, or otherwise delivers cigarettes shall file with the board a statement setting forth the person's name, trade name, and the address of the person's principal place of business and any other place of business.
(b) Any person who mails, ships, or otherwise delivers cigarettes in connection with a delivery sale shall within fifteen days after the first of each month file with the board a report of all delivery sales made by the person within this state for the preceding month. The report shall show the name and address of the consumer to whom the cigarettes were sold, the kind and quality, and the date of delivery thereof.
(6)(a) Any person other than a delivery service who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of ten thousand dollars, and payment of the cost of investigation and prosecution, including attorneys' fees.
(b) Any person other than a delivery service who commits a second or subsequent violation of this section is [guilty of] a class B felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of twenty thousand dollars, and payment of the cost of investigation and prosecution, including attorneys' fees.
(c) Any delivery service that violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of five thousand dollars.
(7) Any person that fails to collect or remit to the department of revenue any tax required under chapter 82.24 RCW in connection with a delivery sale shall be assessed, in addition to any other penalty, a penalty of five times the retail value of the cigarettes involved.
(8) For the purpose of obtaining information concerning any matter relating to the administration or enforcement of this title, the board or any of its agents may inspect the books, documents, and records of any person who makes delivery sales or mailings, or ships or otherwise delivers cigarettes or retains another person to make delivery sales or mailings, or to ship or otherwise deliver cigarettes insofar as such books, documents, and/or records pertain to the financial transaction involved. If such a person neglects or refuses to produce and submit for inspection any book, record, or document as required by this section when requested to do so by the board or its agent, then the board or the attorney general may seek an order in superior court compelling such production of books, records, or documents.
[2003 c 113 § 2.]
Sections: Previous 70.155.005 70.155.010 70.155.020 70.155.030 70.155.040 70.155.050 70.155.070 70.155.080 70.155.090 70.155.100 70.155.105 70.155.110 70.155.120 70.155.130 70.155.900 NextLast modified: April 7, 2009