How to find inexpensive cigarettes: 5 steps (with pictures)
Edited by Stelu Barbu, Wingrider, SilverSparkz, NithinVijay and 4 others
If you are looking for inexpensive cigarettes, you have more options then you might think of at first. Inexpensive or cheap cigarettes can be great for an ailing wallet, but bad on the smoking pleasure you receive. This article is going to cover the major brands of cigarettes, which can be found cheaper at different locations.
The six options you have for finding inexpensive cigarettes are grocery stores, department stores, on the internet, a smoke shop, the Indian reservations, or rolling your own cigarettes.
One will more than triple your costs associated with smoking and may get you into legal trouble, and one of those options for inexpensive cigarettes will cut your smoking cost in half.
Requirements for cigarette purchases from internet retailers
Buying cigarettes online
Internet cigarette retailers sell cigarettes in packs that do not bear the Massachusetts excise stamp. These cigarettes are considered “unstamped cigarettes” under Massachusetts law. The purchase of unstamped cigarettes can lead to serious penalties.
The federal Jenkins Act requires out of state Internet retailers selling cigarettes to Massachusetts customers to register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and to report information regarding each sale, including the name and address of the customer, in order to assist the Department of Revenue in the collection of outstanding cigarette excises. 15 U.S.C. ‘375, et seq. To the extent that Internet retailers do not comply with the Jenkins Act, the Department of Revenue may utilize other sources (e.g., shipment records) to identify Massachusetts customers who have purchased unstamped cigarettes.
The Massachusetts cigarette excise is $25.10 per carton. If cigarettes purchased by a Massachusetts customer do not bear the Massachusetts excise stamp on the pack, then the Department of Revenue requires the customer to file Form CT 11B and to pay the outstanding excise amount, plus applicable penalties and interest. Please be advised that failure to file Form CT 11B may result in the Department of Revenue issuing a bill for the excise, interest, and penalties.
It is illegal for Massachusetts residents to possess cigarettes if the cigarette packs do not bear the Massachusetts excise stamp. Unlawful possession of unstamped cigarettes may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000, and criminal penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and up to a $5,000 fine. G.L. c. 64C, ’35.
For more information, see TIR 08 7 and DOR Directive 02 14.