California legal term
cigarette in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “cigarette” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “cigarette” mean in California criminal law?
“cigarette” means any product that contains nicotine, is intended to be burned or heated under ordinary conditions of use, and consists of, or contains any of, the following: (1) Any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing tobacco. (Cal. Penal Code § 308.3)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.