UPS to Stop Shipping Cigarettes to Consumers

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PS Inc. plans to stop shipping cigarettes to U.S. consumers on Nov. 21 after state attorneys general said the delivery may aid illegal sales, news services reported Tuesday.

The carrier’s action follows that of DHL Worldwide Express, which had also agreed to stop such shipments, Bloomberg reported.

Major credit-card companies said in March they would not process online payments for cigarette sales to individuals, Bloomberg said.



The agreements are part of an effort by state attorneys general and federal officials to reduce illegal sales and strengthen illegal tobacco sales, New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer said in a statement.

About 28 states have adopted rules that sometimes conflict regarding tobacco shipments, making it difficult to set a uniform policy, UPS said.

UPS is ranked No. 1 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.