Do Not Mail Tobacco Bill Introduced in the House

Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) recently introduced legislation – HR 2932 – prohibiting the shipping of cigarettes and other tobacco products via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

AWMA has promoted this issue as a part of our effort to combat the illegal Internet sales of cigarettes which undermine fair competition and encourage under-age smoking. While most major shipping companies – including FedEx, UPS and DHL – have stopped shipping cigarettes nationwide, the USPS continues to deliver these products sold over the Internet.

HR 2932 would amend Title 39 of the United States Code, restricting the USPS from delivering certain tobacco products. The bill provides that cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and roll-your-own-tobacco are non mailable matter, shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and shall be disposed of as the Postal Service directs. It also imposes a penalty of $100,000 for each violation.

From American Wholesale Marketers Association