(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)    “License” means:

(1)    a license issued by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to:

(i)    act as a manufacturer;

(ii)    act as a subwholesaler;

(iii)    act as a vending machine operator;

(iv)    act as a wholesaler; or

(v)    act as a storage warehouse; or

(2)    a license issued by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.

(c)    “Licensed manufacturer” means a person licensed by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a manufacturer.

(d)    “Licensed retailer” means a person licensed by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.

(e)    “Licensed storage warehouse” means a facility licensed by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a storage warehouse.

(f)    “Licensed subwholesaler” means a person licensed by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a subwholesaler.

(g)    “Licensed vending machine operator” means a person licensed by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a vending machine operator.

(h)    “Licensed wholesaler” means a person licensed by the Comptroller under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a wholesaler.

(i)    “Manufacturer” means a person who:

(1)    (i)    operates one or more cigarette manufacturing plants; or

(ii)    is a participating manufacturer; and

(2)    (i)    sells unstamped cigarettes to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located in Maryland;

(ii)    sells unstamped cigarettes that may lawfully be sold in Maryland to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located outside of Maryland;

(iii)    unless otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, or the Criminal Law Article, distributes sample cigarettes to consumers located in Maryland; or

(iv)    stores unstamped cigarettes in a cigarette storage warehouse in Maryland for subsequent shipment to licensed wholesalers, federal reservations, or persons out of state.

(j)    “Participating manufacturer” has the meaning stated in § 16–501 of this title.

(k)    “Retailer” means a person who:

(1)    sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on fewer than 40 premises;

(2)    otherwise sells cigarettes to consumers; or

(3)    holds cigarettes for sale to consumers.

(l)    “Stamped cigarettes” means a package of cigarettes to which tobacco tax stamps are affixed in the amount and manner required by § 12–304 of the Tax – General Article.

(m)    “Storage warehouse” means a storage facility in Maryland operated for the purpose of storing unstamped cigarettes on behalf of a licensed cigarette manufacturer.

(n)    (1)    “Subwholesaler” means a person who:

(i)    holds stamped cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or

(ii)    sells stamped cigarettes to another person for resale.

(2)    “Subwholesaler” does not include a person who sells unstamped cigarettes or holds unstamped cigarettes for sale.

(o)    “Unstamped cigarettes” means a package of cigarettes to which tobacco tax stamps are not affixed in the amount and manner required by § 12–304 of the Tax – General Article.

(p)    “Vending machine operator” means a person who:

(1)    holds cigarettes for sale to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises; or

(2)    sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises.

(q)    “Wholesaler” means a person who:

(1)    holds cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or

(2)    sells cigarettes to another person for resale.