Does Section 189 of the Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits the sale of a product that is falsely described, have any effect on the sale price of the product?

'Similarly, statutes which proscribe a penalty for the good of the public are not given the strict construction generally accorded penal laws. * * * a statute beneficial to the public, though penal as to some persons, will receive an equitable construction.' (See Cotheal v. Brouwer, supra.)

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The latter portion of Section 189 which deals with 'knowledge' that a product is falsely described, may be treated in the same manner as any other fact which may be shown by proof of circumstances from which knowledge may be inferred. (See People v. Shapiro, 6 A.D.2d 271, 177 N.Y.S.2d 670.)