A person should be careful when they purchase cigarettes online from any company that is based in the United States. As a result of the illegal pressure from state authorities who demanded that these companies turn over their customer list, the states can try to make the buyers of these cigarettes pay the unpaid state taxes, although they have no constitutional right to these exorbitant taxes. But, while most of the numerous vendor websites haven’t given in to these pressures, there is now consideration for the possibility of more stringent laws and it may only be a matter of time.

In addition, purchasing cigarettes online may require a change in the way that you'd usually have those cigarettes delivered. The common carriers such as UPS have been barred from cigarette delivery in Arizona. However, the U.S. Postal Service hasn’t yet undermined its ability to serve the people of the United States and therefore will still provide cigarette delivery in the United States, priority mail only and is only dependent on the state.

Because the tax on cigarettes varies from one state to another, a person might consider purchasing them in a neighboring state since their tax rate might be lower. But the residents will probably be limited as to how many cigarettes can be purchased out of state legally and be brought back because they may be liable for tobacco taxes when they return home. However, as a result of the cost involved. Most states, with the exception of Tennessee, states have decided not to vigilantly enforce this. There are many websites that can provide you with the tax rate for most states. Although most of these websites are anti smoking, it is clear that they don’t like the idea of many states that might divert the tax revenue gained from cigarettes into their own general fund. The reason for this is because it was supposed to be used for smoking related diseases and the prevention of smoking.

Another choice that you have is to try your luck with a company overseas. However, it will only take one transaction to determine if the company you are dealing with is reputable or not. There have been some cases where a boatload of cigarettes have been confiscated by custom officials, this isn’t usually the case provided the cigarettes are sent via the mail, there is little chance that they will be confiscated by customs officials while they are making their way to your house. .

There is a safeguard with this risk. For instance, Russian businesses, would never feel obligated to provide a customer list to any state authority from the United States. The state’s pleas would simply fall on deaf ears. Any attempt to balance their budgets based on the smoking of cigarettes simply wouldn’t work. The reason for this is that it would be more patriotic to lose a shipment every now and then rather than to pay the tax.