DHL Agrees to End Cigarette Deliveries to Individuals

AP ^ | AP-ES-07-05-05 1645ED

[TheOtherOne]

DHL Agrees to End Cigarette Deliveries to Individuals

By Michael Gormley Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 5, 2005 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - One of the world's largest package delivery companies will stop delivering cigarettes to individual consumers nationwide under an agreement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Spitzer said DHL is the first major shipping company to agree to the ban and negotiations continue with other companies and the U.S. Postal Service. The agreement follows a March deal in which major credit card companies began refusing to participate in Internet sale of cigarettes nationwide.

The agreement with Spitzer and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is aimed at ending a common method for youths to obtain cigarettes, which can't legally be sold to people under 18 years old.

In Tuesday's agreement, DHL cuts off another route for the Internet cigarette sales, a growing business, Spitzer said.

Audrey Silk of New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment said the actions are simply boosting an illegal market for cigarettes in which no one asks a consumers' age. The measures deny consumer choice, because some brands are only sold out of state.

"When the product is legal, who are you to say I can't order it?" said Silk, who's also a Libertarian candidate for New York City mayor. "He's attacking one consumer class trying to buy a legal product and strong-arming the common carries into going along with his campaign to keep cigarettes out of adult hands."

DHL General Counsel Jon Olin said the agreement is in the best interest of customers and the public. The company will still be able to deliver tobacco products to licensed retailers and other authorized recipients.

"By taking a proactive approach, DHL is pleased to be the leader in the prevention of illegal cigarette sales in the United States," Olin said.

State and federal law enforcement agencies have since 2004 sought to crack down on Internet sales of cigarettes partly because they lack age verification for the buyers and partly because it costs state and local governments billions of dollars in sales tax.

States lose more than $1 billion a year in tax revenue from Internet tobacco sales, according to the ATF. Enforcement, however, has been difficult, even though in many states, including New York, the Internet sale of tobacco products is illegal.

---

On the Net:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us

http://www.atf.gov

AP-ES-07-05-05 1645EDT

[Gabz]

I read through posts before posting and it is nice to see that non-smokers are even being upset about this.

OTOH - DHL's service is so bad I'm glad to see them going to be losing business.

[Blzbba]

Yet another reason to not use DHL - the German state-sponsored monopoly of shipping.

Buncha liberal Krauts.

[TheOtherOne]

Nope, but I added CIGAR to the keywords.

[Snoopers-868th]

. . . aimed at ending a common method for youths to obtain cigarettes, which can't legally be sold to people under 18 years old.

The real reason is taxes and smokers must pay the most because they are so ugly, stink, socially unacceptable, and all the other excuses. Free trade for everyone except smokers... Best price for everyone except smokers!! Screw all these people come and get my cigarettes.

[Gabz]

Don't give me that "for the children" line. All that was necessary to avoid that would be to require signature upon delivery of someone over 18.

I don't order cigarettes online, but my husband does order his cigars that way and a signature is always required.

[Cobra64]

I buy all my Cigars via mail order. This REALLY concerns me.

Me too. Last night I passed out a few dozen Thompson Cigars to our friends at our 4th of July party.

[NW Mike]

bump

[Cobra64]

My advice to NY FReepers: Get the hell out of that godforsaken state and let Spitzer, the Democrats, and the RINOs run it into the ground.

We left NY for NC two years ago. Chucky, The Beast, and high taxes drove us over the top to the NC move.

[Gabz]

Paging the cigar ping list - paging the cigar ping list.



However - I seriously doubt cigar deliveries will be impacted. This is specifically directed at cigarettes - not "tobacco products"

[technochick99]

Start a new business in NY border states to accept delivery of cigarette orders for NY staters.

Actually, the article says 'consumers nationwide'. So, I think it will be more than just NY.

[Nat Turner]

another reason not to use DHL

[devane617]

I have to disagree. Cigars are hated by even more people that cigarettes. I sent a note to "Cigar Dave", however, I suspect he is fully informed about this action.

Here's the bottom line -- I believe all tobacco products including pipe tobacco and cigars are about to be banned. If not completely outlawed, the cost may become prohibitive.

[TomGuy]

One of the world's largest package delivery companies will stop delivering cigarettes to individual consumers nationwide under an agreement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

So, DHL has allowed the New York attorney general to set policy for its nationwide deliveries? Other states should take note that the NY Atty Gen is now the dictator of nationwide deliveries. Next, he may be demanding tax revenues for deliveries both originating and ending outside NY.

[devane617]

By the way, I thought I would mention that our REPUBLICAN Texas Governor has proposed a one dollar per pack cigarette tax to be effective immediately.

[Marauder]

partly because it costs state and local governments billions of dollars in sales tax.

Partly ... right. What you can take to the bank is that this is the main if not the only reason.

[Schatze]

I believe all tobacco products including pipe tobacco and cigars are about to be banned. I doubt that the government ever give up such a lucrative source of tax revenue. More taxes maybe. Banned, not likely.

[Caipirabob]

Yikes!

The day when these babies become "contraband" will be a day of mourning...

[Schatze]

Oops. That should say: I doubt that the government would ever give up such a lucrative source of tax revenue.

[StuLongIsland]

I hate cigarettes, don't even like people smoking in my space, etc. Very much anti smoking I am, but I am NOT against the right for people to purchase what ever they want from whom ever they want for themselves as long as the substance or item is considered legal for use or comsumption.

Cigarettes, Cigars, Wine or just a pair of shoes, you should be able to purchase what ever you want in the USA from any other state within the USA or even to some extent any country that we are allowed to buy from. What are we Cuba or something?

[martin_fierro]

Some over-reactive Soccer Mommy gave me a hard time last night about smoking a cigar.

In an unenclosed space.

In a public park.

On Independence Day.

Because she had children with her.

I'm sad to say I caved and moved elsewhere to smoke.