Though smokers may rejoice at the prospect of dirt cheap fags, it’s worth knowing that there may be hidden costs when ordering online. Some states have copped on to the fact that they’re losing tax dollars to out of state (or country) distributors and are none to happy about it. Massachusetts, as an example, comes to mind.
Though I’ve forgotten the details of the story, I think it was the Governor’s office that was pushing shipping companies (UPS etc.) to disclose their shipping records–thereby fingering those who had purchased tobacco on line. Presumably the customs officials, or some other type of tax collector, would then track down the buyer and hand him or her a big ol’ bill for taxes due. This story was news in, oh about January of this year, but alas, I never saw any conclusion to it. Interested parties could search the Boston Globe web site and get a more complete picture.
One slight difference ‘tween the hullabaloo as reported in Boston and Yessmoke rests in the country of origin. IIRC, the targets of Gov. Romney were people purchasing domestic cigs, not having them shipped over from Europe. I’m certain the laws differ when taking this fact into consideration but I’m no lawologist and won’t proffer any guess as to how.
And as an interesting side note, word on the street had it that lost tax dollars weren’t the true impetus for the Governor’s hunt. Rather, it was underage kids using the anonymity of on line purchasing to circumvent local age restrictions. Clever kids.
As I said though, I’ve long since forgotten the particulars of, and conclusion to, this story. I suppose that isn’t very helpful in addressing the legitimacy of yesmoke. Oh well.