Stay calm. Get it in writing. Preserve your rights.

General information, not legal advice. If you are cited, get help before responding and never let an appeal deadline pass.

1. 1

   Stay calm and cooperative. You support the law and want to comply. Tone matters.

2. 2

   Get it in writing. Ask exactly which products are alleged to violate and the legal basis. Write down the officer's name, badge, and agency.

3. 3

   Do not agree on the spot that an entire category is noncompliant. Ask the officer to identify each product at issue, the legal basis, and the authority for any seizure. Get a product-specific list and a receipt for anything taken.

4. 4

   Offer your records. Purchase invoices, not shelf prices, show the tax-inclusive purchase price. A cigar must also meet the other premium-cigar criteria listed on the Compliance page. Keep any available product documentation that supports those criteria, and offer to show both.

5. 5

   Show the state's enforcement bulletin. Bulletin 2025-DLE-17 says DOJ intended initially to focus on educating manufacturers about unlisted products that were not obviously flavored, including hand-rolled leaf cigars, rather than taking immediate enforcement action. It also says those products remain subject to seizure and penalties. Keep a printed copy at the register. It is guidance, not a shield, but it can help show good faith.

6. 6

   Note any correction deadline, preserve your appeal rights, and get help before responding.

Member facing an inspection or citation right now? Email info@sicalliance.org, tell us you have been affected, and we will get back to you.