TOBACCO

The Attorney General’s Tobacco Unit was created in 2002 to enforce state laws relating to tobacco sales. The unit has been active in enforcing the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which Vermont and 51 other states and territories signed in 1998. The unit also oversees implementation of Vermont’s tobacco laws, including the Clean Indoor Air laws, ban on sales to minors, licensing and tax requirements, and restrictions on the distribution and retail sales of tobacco products.

TOBACCO DISTRIBUTORS

Beginning in 2011, the Tax Department's NPM-1 Form which distributors are required to file monthly will only be accepted in electronic format. Paper copies will no longer be accepted. To access an electronic version of the form, click here. Notice of this requirement has been sent to Vermont’s licensed distributors. This form requires Adobe Reader 7 or higher. Adobe Reader is a free product, click here to download. If you have difficulties submitting the form please contact webperson.

View the current listing of Cigarette Brands Certified as Fire-Safe and Legal for Sale in Vermont, Approved Package Markings, and RYO Brands Legal for Sale in Vermont.

In order to sell tobacco products in Vermont, distributors must be licensed by the Vermont Department of Taxes, and comply with all applicable tax statutes. For more information contact misctaxes@state.vt.us.

All cigarettes sold in Vermont must be certified as “fire-safe” under 20 V.S.A. §§ 2756–2757. For more information please visit the website of the Vermont Department of Public Safety.

TOBACCO MANUFACTURERS

It is illegal to sell, offer, or possess for sale cigarettes (including roll-your-own tobacco) not included on the Attorney General’s Directory of Manufacturers and Brand Families Compliant with 33 V.S.A. Chapter 19, Subchapters 1A and 1B.

Download certification forms, Escrow Agreement and statutes and rules governing tobacco sales and use.

BAN ON INTERNET AND MAIL ORDER TOBACCO SALES

Effective July 1, 2008, 7 V.S.A. § 1010 makes it illegal for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, little cigars, or snuff, ordered or purchased by telephone, mail order, or through the Internet, to be shipped directly to consumers in Vermont.

Recent enforcement actions and press releases related to Vermont’s ban on internet tobacco sales are available below.

Habana Smoke Shop Complaint
Habana Smoke Shop Consent Decree
Habana Smoke Shop Press Release
Stuff Your Own.com Complaint, Summons, and Return of Service
Stuff Your Own.com Consent Decree
Stuff Your Own.com Press Release
All Of Our Butts Complaint, Summons, and Return of Service
All Of Our Butts Consent Decree
All Of Our Butts Press Release
Cheap Smokes by Mail Complaint
Cheap Smokes by Mail Default Judgment

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Statutes and Rules Governing Tobacco Sales and Use
• 1998 Master Settlement Agreement
• Tobacco Litigation
• Organic Tobacco Does Not Mean A Safer Cigarette! The Attorney General reached a settlement with the maker of Natural American Spirit brand tobacco products that requires the company to disclose that “Organic tobacco does NOT mean a safer cigarette” in its advertising. The settlement is effective March 1, 2010.

TOBACCO RELATED LINKS

• Coalition for Tobacco Free Vermont
• Vermont Tobacco Evaluation & Review Board
• The National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids

For more information on how to get help quitting smoking, please visit: www.VTQuitnetwork.org, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).