The legislature finds that unfair, dishonest, and fraudulent business practices exist in transactions involving the sale of, or offer to sell, cigarettes in the wholesale and retail trades in this state and are demoralizing and disorganizing the said trades.
Offering for sale, or sale of cigarettes below cost in the wholesale and retail trade is declared by the legislature to have the intent or effect of injuring a competitor, destroying or lessening competition, and is deemed an unfair and deceptive business practice and an unfair method of competition.
Such practices affect collection of taxes and license fees imposed on persons engaged in the sale of cigarettes.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Minnesota and the purposes of sections 325D.30 to 325D.42 to protect the public by prohibiting such sales.