New limits on mailing tobacco to take effect soon

WASHINGTON (AP) - New restrictions on mailing tobacco products are about to take effect.

Under a law signed by President Barack Obama in March, limits will be placed on individuals mailing cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco.

The rules take effect June 29, the Postal Service announced on Thursday.

Mailing these products entirely within the states of Alaska and Hawaii will still be permitted and cigars will still be allowed in the mail.

In addition, the law will still allow mail shipments of tobacco products between businesses in the tobacco industry and mailings to individuals will be permitted for testing or public health purposes.

Individuals will be allowed to send small shipments of tobacco products occasionally, but only via Express Mail and the age of the recipient must be verified, meaning that - other than APO and FPO destinations - they will have to collect the shipment at a postal facility.

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Online:

U.S. Postal Service: http://www.usps.com