Section 16-223 - Direct sales and shipping of cigarettes ordered by mail or other means(a) This section applies to a person who is engaged in the business of selling or distributing cigarettes.(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person covered under this section may not:(i) sell or ship cigarettes, ordered or purchased by mail or through a computer network, telephonic network, or other electronic network by a consumer or other unlicensed recipient, directly to a consumer or other unlicensed recipient in this State; or(ii) cause cigarettes, ordered or purchased by mail or through a computer network, telephonic network, or other electronic network by a consumer or other unlicensed recipient, to be shipped directly to a consumer or other unlicensed recipient in this State.(2) A licensed retailer may deliver no more than two cartons of cigarettes directly to a consumer if the delivery is made by the licensed retailer or an employee of the licensed retailer.(c)(1) A licensee who sells or ships cigarettes in violation of this section or causes cigarettes to be shipped in violation of this section is:(i) subject to discipline by the Executive Director under § 16-210 of this subtitle; and(ii) guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each carton of cigarettes transported or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.(2) A person other than a licensee who sells or ships cigarettes in violation of this section or causes cigarettes to be shipped in violation of this section is guilty of a felony and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for each carton of cigarettes transported or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.Amended by 2019 Md. Laws, Ch. 12,Sec. 1, eff. 6/1/2020.