It is Illegal to Buy Cigarettes/Tobacco Products by Internet, Phone, or Mail-Order

Effective May 11, 2009, the sale and/or purchase of cigarette/tobacco products via the internet, phone, or by mail-order is prohibited, except to licensed persons. Distributors or wholesalers who sell cigarette or tobacco products into Utah must ascertain whether or not a person ordering the cigarette/tobacco products is licensed in the state. The law is intended to direct consumers to licensed vendors of cigarette products. This law ensures that:

1. cigarette/tobacco products sold in Utah are treated as controlled substances;
2. taxes are collected on the sale of cigarette/tobacco products.

For more information, see Utah Code §59-14-509.

Penalty

Any person making sales to unlicensed individuals in Utah via the internet, phone, or mail order will be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation. Each sale into Utah will be considered a separate violation.

Important

Private citizens who do not own or operate a business (as cigarette/tobacco retailer, distributor, wholesaler, or manufacturer) are not permitted under Utah law to obtain a cigarette/tobacco license. For more information on cigarette/tobacco licensing see Cigarette and Tobacco Licensing.