a. It shall be unlawful for any retailer or wholesaler, with intent to injure competitors or destroy or substantially lessen competition, to advertise, offer to sell, or sell, at retail or wholesale, cigarettes and tobacco products at less than cost to such retailer or wholesaler, as the case may be. Any retailer or wholesaler who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be punishable by fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

b. Evidence of advertisement, offering to sell, or sale of cigarettes and tobacco products by any retailer or wholesaler at less than cost to him as defined in this Act¹ shall be prima facie evidence of intent to injure competitors and to destroy or substantially lessen competition.