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Law sets rules for display of cigarettes by retailers
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Posted on Aug 05 1999
Acting Gov. Jesus R. Sablan has signed a legislation into Public Law 11-88 that sets in place the rules for the display of cigarettes being sold in retail establishments on the island.
This is an amendment to an earlier law prohibiting the sale of these items to minors as well as enforcing existing regulations, including issuance of license to retailers by the Department of Commerce.
Offered by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, the bill sets a clear-cut policy on a provision in PL 11-75 that requires cigarettes on display to be maintained in a secure area where only store owners have access to.
“This measure provides a needed clarification on an existing provision of the law regarding the display of individual cigarette packages and cigarette cartons,” Sablan said after signing the law.
According to the Legislature’s findings, the manner by which tobacco products, especially cigarettes, are displayed in retail establishments influences its sales.
The more attractive and accessible the products are to consumer, the higher its sales, lawmakers argued.
“While the Legislature is aware and accepts the fact that display of tobacco products… bears some direct relationship to sales, every precautionary requirement and penalty mandated by PL 11-75 must strictly be enforced to prevent a minor’s access to such products,” stated the law.
The amendment requires stores not to sell or display cigarettes and other tobacco products individually, but in quantities not less than 20 cigarettes per package.
They shall not also be displayed in areas open to the public, unless these packages are locked in a cabinet or other secured casing located behind, underneath or adjacent to the cashier counter which can be opened by retailers.
Cigarette cartons containing not less than 10 individual cigarette packages and other tobacco products, however, are allowed to be displayed openly.
