Section 40. Whoever makes a practice of accosting persons, other than acquaintances, upon any public sidewalk and induces or tries to induce such persons to purchase merchandise shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars. This section shall not apply to licensed pedlers, or to persons holding permits or licenses to expose for sale or sell merchandise upon public streets or sidewalks, acting within the scope of their permits or licenses, or to persons when seeking to sell newspapers.