Whereas, tobacco products are readily accessible to minors; and

Whereas, tobacco products displays make tobacco products appealing to minors; and

Whereas, access to tobacco products by minors is gained through theft of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco from counter displays in retail stores; and

Whereas, the sooner displays are removed, the more difficult it will be for minors to access tobacco products; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1551, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1995, c, 470, §9 and affected by §19 is repealed.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1551-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 470, §9 and affected by §19, is amended to read:

1. Retail tobacco license. It is unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation that engages in retail sales, including retail sales through vending machines or in free distribution of tobacco products, to sell, keep for sale or give away in the course of trade any tobacco products to anyone without first obtaining a retail tobacco license from the department, in accordance with this chapter.

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §1552, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 470, §9 and affected by §19, is amended to read:

3. Multiple licenses. A licensee applying for licenses to operate more than one premises or more than one vending machine shall obtain a separate license for each premises and each machine and shall pay the fee prescribed for each premises and each machine.

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §1553-A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 305, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §1555-B, sub-§1-A is enacted to read: