# Utah Code § 59-14-211: Penalties for dealing with prohibited cigarettes -- Private right of action

> Utah · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_211

## Section

- **Citation:** Utah Code § 59-14-211
- **Heading:** Penalties for dealing with prohibited cigarettes -- Private right of action
- **Jurisdiction:** Utah
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Utah Code / Title 59 / Chapter 59-14 / § 59-14-211

## Text

(1) A person, regardless of whether the person is a licensee under Section 59-14-202, is guilty of a class B misdemeanor for each instance in which the person knowingly or with reason to know: (a) sells or distributes cigarettes described under Section 59-14-210; (b) acquires, holds, owns, possesses, transports, imports, or causes to be imported cigarettes: (i) described under Section 59-14-210; and (ii) intended for distribution or sale in the state; (c) alters the package of any cigarettes prior to their sale or distribution to the ultimate consumer to remove, conceal, or obscure a notice, warning label, or other package information described in Subsection 59-14-210(1)(a); or (d) affixes a stamp used to pay the tax imposed under Section 59-14-204, Part 3, Tobacco Products, or Part 4, Cigarettes and Tobacco Products, to a package or container of cigarettes: (i) described under Section 59-14-210; (ii) known by the person affixing the stamp to be altered as described under Subsection (1)(c); or (iii) in violation of Section 59-14-604. (2) If a person knowingly or with reason to know commits an act described in Subsections (1)(a) through (d), the commission shall: (a) suspend or revoke a license issued to the person under Section 59-14-202; and (b) regardless of whether the person is licensed under Section 59-14-202, impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of: (i) 500% of the retail value of the cigarettes; or (ii) $5,000. (3) Any person whose commercial interests have been adversely affected as a result of a violation of this section may bring an action for injunctive relief, damages, or both. (4) (a) The sale or possession for sale of counterfeit cigarettes by a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer is punishable by a court of law as follows: (i) a first violation involving a total quantity of less than 100 cartons of cigarettes is punishable by a fine in an amount the greater of $500 or five times the retail value of the cigarettes; (ii) a subsequent violation involving a total quantity of less than 100 cartons of cigarettes is punishable by: (A) the greater of a fine of $2,000 or five times the retail value of the cigarettes; (B) imprisonment not to exceed one year; or (C) both imprisonment and a fine imposed by this Subsection (4)(a)(ii); and (D) the revocation by the commission of the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer license for a period of up to two years; (iii) a first violation involving a total quantity of 100 cartons of cigarettes or more is punishable by: (A) the greater of a fine of $2,500 or five times the retail value of the cigarettes; (B) imprisonment not to exceed five years; or (C) both the fine and imprisonment imposed by this Subsection (4)(a)(iii); (iv) a second violation involving a quantity of 100 cartons of cigarettes or more is punishable by: (A) the greater of a fine of $10,000 or five times the retail value of the cigarettes; (B) imprisonment not to exceed five years; or (C) both the fine and imprisonment imposed by this Subsection (4)(a)(iv); and (D) the revocation by the commission of the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer license for a period of up to five years; and (v) a third and subsequent violation involving a quantity of 100 cartons of cigarettes or more is punishable by: (A) the greater of a fine of $25,000 or five times the retail value of the cigarettes; (B) imprisonment not to exceed five years; or (C) both the fine and imprisonment imposed by this Subsection (4)(a)(v); and (D) the revocation by the commission of the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer license for a period of up to five years; and (b) any counterfeit cigarette seized by the commission shall be destroyed.

## Nearby sections

- [Utah Code § 59-14-102 § 59-14-102. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_102.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-103 § 59-14-103. Waiver or reduction of penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_103.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-104 § 59-14-104. Rate reduction for modified risk tobacco products.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_104.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-105 § 59-14-105. Electronic reporting of report on product transferred into the state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_105.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-106 § 59-14-106. Revocation of license for controlled substance sale and distribution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_106.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-201 § 59-14-201. License -- Application of part -- Fee -- Bond -- Exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_201.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-202 § 59-14-202. Issuance of licenses -- Common carrier licenses -- Contents -- Valid for three years -- Revocation -- Distribution requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_202.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-203 § 59-14-203. Failure to obtain a license -- Penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_203.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-204 § 59-14-204. Tax basis -- Rate -- Future increase -- Cigarette Tax Restricted Account -- Appropriation and expenditure of revenues.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_204.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-204.5 § 59-14-204.5. Application of excise tax on tribal lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_204.5.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-205 § 59-14-205. Stamping procedure -- Rules -- Exceptions -- Penalty -- Collection procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_205.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-206 § 59-14-206. Sales of stamps -- Deposit of revenues -- Redemption of unused stamps -- Discount on lump purchases of stamps -- Unlawful acts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_206.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-207.5 § 59-14-207.5. Transactions only with licensed manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_207.5.md)
- [Utah Code § 59-14-207.6 § 59-14-207.6. Unstamped cigarettes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_207.6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T59_S59_14_211. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.