After the first inspection occurs and the retailer receives additional violations of tobacco regulations, a civil money penalty (CMP) complaint is used. A CMP involves a money fine levied against the retailer, determined based on the number of previous violations and the time frame in which the violations occurred.
If a retailer has two violations with a 12-month period, the CMP amount will be up to $279. Three violations within a 24-month time frame will result in up to $559 in fines. Four violations within a 24-month period could result in up to $2,236 in fines, and six violations within 48 months will result in up to $11,182 in fines.
CMP complaints are searchable in the CTP’s compliance check inspection database. Retailers who have received a CMP complaint can settle it on the CTP’s website.