Post Office Limits Shipment of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco

According to a USPS press release, "To comply with legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products will be subject to new mailing regulations effective June 29, 2010."

It goes on to say, "The law does permit infrequent lightweight shipments by age-verified adults to recipients who are at least the age of majority for purchase of tobacco. Shipments between businesses in the tobacco industry will also be permitted, as well as cigarettes sent to consumers age 21 and above for testing or public health purposes."

Postal inspectors will also be monitoring transport and delivery, saying they have "the right to refuse to accept packages if it has reasonable cause to believe they contain cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, or loose tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes," according to an article on New Jersey's Post-Chronicle website.

Shipments entirely within Alaska and Hawaii will continue, subject to certain labeling and acceptance requirements. 

The new regulations does not apply to cigars.

To read the entire press release, click here.