Internet and Mail-Order Cigar Sales Banned in Maryland

Cigar Aficionado reports:

Buying cigars over the Internet or by mail order is now against the law in Maryland. State lawmakers prohibited that form of sale for all tobacco products in a move intended to more effectively collect tobacco taxes in the state.

The law, called HB 88, went into effect on May 1. It was passed by the State House and Senate last year before being signed off by Governor Martin O'Malley. A bulletin from the Maryland comptroller's office summarized the law, defining premium cigars as part of the larger "OTP" category (Other Tobacco Products), clearly stating: "The purchase and sale of OTP by mail or over the Internet is prohibited."

The move has been controversial, and subsequent public outcry prompted Field Enforcement Division Director Jeffrey A. Kelly to release a statement on May 11 in its defense. "The intent of HB 88 was to strengthen Maryland's ability to identify and prevent widespread occurrences of tax avoidance and smuggling of other tobacco products (OTP), which include cigars, little cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco and moist snuff. For years, contraband OTP-on which the tobacco tax has not been paid but is due-entered Maryland in a variety of manners, virtually unrestricted and unregulated."

Limiting your choice to help fund a greedy welfare state.