Does Amazon Sell Cigarettes, Cigars, and Tobacco Products? (Yes, But You Should Be Careful!)

You can shop and purchase a variety of items on Amazon. However, everything in life has to adhere to its limitations, and Amazon is no exception. There is a limit on what you can and cannot purchase on the e-commerce website. So, does Amazon Sell Cigarettes, Cigars, and Tobacco Products? Let's find out!

The internet has unleashed endless possibilities, with new opportunities opening daily. The trade and commerce sector has particularly benefited immensely with the help of the internet. The internet is responsible for the emerging e-commerce industry, and more people are doing their shopping online rather than in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

You can purchase illegal items on the black market because the internet has made it possible for parties to remain anonymous, thus reducing the risk of being caught. However, conventional e-commerce platforms exercise due diligence because they limit the products that are on sale.

Amazon relies on guidelines to decide what products to have on its shelves. The article below explores the questions and policies on cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products on Amazon.

Table Of Contents

Does Amazon Sell Cigarettes, Cigars, and Tobacco Products?

Yes, you can find tobacco products on Amazon by searching for tobacco on the e-commerce website. However, it does not mean anyone with an Amazon account can purchase tobacco products on Amazon. There are different tobacco products on Amazon, and you can expect to find cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and e-cigarettes.

The e-commerce platform is also known for selling cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and e-cigarette accessories on its website. Amazon has guidelines regulating persons who can purchase tobacco substances on its e-commerce platform. You can continue reading the article to understand who is allowed to buy tobacco products on Amazon.

Laws Regulating Cigarettes, Cigars, and Tobacco Products

Cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products are harmful because they can cause long-term damage to your body and organs. Cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products have side effects. The side effects of cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco products make them a form of a drug rather than food products. Tobacco products are also addictive, thus essential to regulate them as drugs. Regulations for cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco are in the hands of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United States.

The control of tobacco products varies depending on the country, but this article covers American laws because Amazon is an American company. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act or Tobacco Control Act empowers the FDA to regulate and control tobacco products. The Tobacco Control Act came into enactment on June 22, 2009. Tobacco control in the United States is in the FDA Tobacco 21” or “T21” regulations.

The FDA Tobacco 21” or “T21” regulations make it illegal for retailers to sell tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 21. The FDA Tobacco 21” or “T21” is a federal law and thus applies to all States in the United States (USA). The Tobacco “21” or “T21” regulations also give power to the FDA to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products in the United States.

Why Are Tobacco Products Not Sold On Amazon?

Tobacco products fall under FDA regulation, and retailers are only allowed to sell tobacco products to customers above the age of 21. Other tobacco-related products like e-cigarettes, vape mods, e-cig devices, and e-liquid fall under the FDCPA regulations, and retailers are not allowed to sell them to customers under 18 years.

Amazon must check and verify the age of customers before selling any tobacco products. Age verification on e-commerce platforms is challenging because customers are physically absent when opening an account. According to a study done in 2015, approximately 75% of underage customers purchased tobacco products on the e-commerce website despite the age verification process being in place. 75% presents a very high risk of underage children accessing tobacco products from an e-commerce website.

Amazon does not allow the sale of tobacco products on its platform to minimize risk and absolve itself from criminal liability should a child get a hold of tobacco products courtesy of its e-commerce platform. The decision not to sell tobacco products is a prudent measure for Amazon to avoid violating any local, state, or federal laws.

Does Amazon Sell Smoking Accessories?

Smoking accessories are fast-moving products in the smoking community. Amazon taps into the niche market by offering smoking accessories to its customers. You can also get extra benefits like free 2-day shipping on orders of $35 and above when purchasing smoking accessories using an Amazon Prime account. It is less risky to sell smoking accessories than tobacco products on an e-commerce website.

You can get amazing deals on smoking accessories like pipes, cigarette papers, ashtrays, and cigarette cases on the e-commerce website because Amazon incurs lower overhead costs when supplying the products to customers.

Is It Safe To Buy Tobacco Online?

The quality and safety of tobacco products largely depend on where you are purchasing them. Amazon is a safe place to shop online because the products on sale are tested and guaranteed to be safe for human consumption.

However, buying tobacco products from other online platforms is a personal decision you can make after exercising your due diligence. You can purchase tobacco products from other e-commerce platforms or the dark web, but ensure the goods are of merchantable quality before making a purchase.

Conclusion

We have come a long way if smoking and vaping habits are anything to be concerned about our health. Smoking or vaping in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s may have been a social and fun habit, but medical studies have disproved the notion. Smoking and vaping are now health concerns, and most people are finding innovative ways to quit smoking.

You can find products like nicotine patches online to help you get rid of smoking habits. Amazon does not offer tobacco-related products, but you can purchase quality tobacco products from trusted retailers. Buying tobacco products from trustworthy retailers is a way to safeguard your health.