Credit card companies will cease handling Internet sales of cigarettes under a nationwide agreement they signed with several attorneys general and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The agreement, which was signed March 17 and took effect immediately, seeks to prevent the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products over the Internet and is aimed at those who try to avoid sales taxes or who sell to underage customers.
Virtually all card companies, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, no longer will process orders placed through Web sites nationwide and overseas that sell cigarettes and tobacco products.
Smokers will have to use checks, money orders or some other payment method. Tobacco products have never been a non-mailable substance in the United States, and they can be shipped by carriers including the U.S. Postal Service.
For this complete story, please visit Credit Card Firms Stop Handling Internet Cigarette Sales.
