N
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EWS
ELEASE
S
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TATE
OARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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17-M
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QUALIZATION
Date:
April 1, 2004
450 N Street
Contact: Sherilyn Larsen
Sacramento
Customer and Taxpayer Services Division
California 95814
(916) 445-3192
Website:
CAROLE MIGDEN
Chairwoman, BOE
APRIL 15 IS RED-LETTER DAY FOR WHOLESALERS, DISTRIBUTORS
First District
Member, FTB
AND RETAILERS OF CIGARETTE OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS
For wholesalers, distributors and retailers of cigarette or tobacco products, April 15 is a red-
letter day. Chairwoman Carole Migden is issuing a reminder to wholesalers, distributors and
retailers that the newly enacted California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of
2003 (Act) requires that a cigarette and tobacco products license be obtained from the Board of
Equalization (BOE) in order to sell cigarettes or tobacco products in California. The completed
application package including applicable fees must be returned to the BOE, postmarked on or
before April 15, 2004.
RAMON J. HIRSIG
Businesses operating from catering trucks, lunch wagons, or other mobile facilities do not
Executive Director
qualify for a license and are prohibited from selling cigarette or tobacco products. However,
every wholesaler, distributor and retailer of cigarette or tobacco products operating from a
fixed location must obtain and display a license by June 30, 2004. A separate license is
required for each location or vending machine from which cigarette or tobacco products are
sold. This license is in addition to any license that the city or county may require.
The BOE will begin issuing licenses June 1, 2004. Be aware, failure to comply with the
requirements of the Act may result in penalties, restrictions on selling cigarette and tobacco
products, and even criminal prosecution.
If you are a wholesaler, distributor or retailer of cigarette or tobacco products that has not
received an application for a business location at which cigarettes or tobacco products are to be
sold this year, please contact our Information Center at 800-400-7115 and select the "Cigarette
and Tobacco Program Option."
If you have received an application, but do not sell cigarette or tobacco products, please
indicate that on the application form, sign and date the form and return it to the BOE.
Additional information regarding the Act is available at . You can also
call our Information Center at 800-400-7115 and select the Cigarette and Tobacco Program
option, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
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