37. Free distribution &c. of tobacco products or alcohol product prohibited

Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

(1)

A manufacturer, importer or distributor of any tobacco product or alcohol product shall not—

(a)

distribute any tobacco product or alcohol product ;

(b)

supply any tobacco product or alcohol product to any other person for subsequent distribution, free of charge.

(2)

A person shall not offer any prize, gift, cash rebate, discount or the right to participate in any contest, lottery or game to the purchaser of a tobacco product or alcohol product in consideration of the purchase of that product or to any person in consideration of the furnishing of evidence of such purchase.

(3)

It shall not be a contravention of subsection (2) for a manufacturer, importer, or distributor of a tobacco product or alcohol product to offer trade discount at the rates prevalent in the relevant trade.

(4)

A manufacturer, importer or distributor of a tobacco product or alcohol product who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) or any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and shall on conviction after summary trial before a Magistrate be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Read on from s 38