Smoker’s Outlet Online, a Pennsylvania online tobacco retailer, will pay $65,885 after it illegally sent tobacco products to Washington state.
The payment will go toward continued enforcement of state tobacco laws. Smoker’s Outlet Online made this payment to avoid a lawsuit from the Attorney General’s Office.
Washington state law prohibits corporations from selling tobacco products by mail or internet to state residents unless the buyer is a licensed retailer or wholesaler. Smoker’s Outlet Online sent the products to investigators in the Attorney General’s Office, in violation of state law.
“Corporations selling addictive tobacco products must comply with the law – period,” Attorney General Bob Ferguson said. “Washington prohibits mail and internet tobacco sales as part of our robust strategy to reduce youth access.”
Smoker’s Outlet Online advertises loose pipe tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, and various tobacco supplies. It sold more than 4,300 products into the state over a two-year period, according to company records.
The company discontinued sales directly to Washington consumers after the investigation began.
A Centers for Disease Control study shows underage adolescents successfully purchased cigarettes from online vendors in 92 percent of their attempts.
For more information for consumers, see my blog Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist.
