Friday, June 24 2011
By Jay Hancock | The Baltimore Sun
Marylanders can enjoy mail-order cigars on the golf course and the beach this summer after all.
In a highly unusual letter sent Monday to smokers and out-of-state tobacco dealers, the office of Comptroller Peter Franchot said the department won't enforce a controversial 2010 ban on online sales and shipments of premium cigars.
Franchot made the decision after being besieged by cigar fans who learned of the law when it took effect May 1.
He had requested broad reforms in the rules governing wholesale distribution of cigars, pipe tobacco and other noncigarette tobacco. The changes, which prohibit sending those products directly to Maryland consumers, were intended to prevent large, bootleg orders from minors and tax evaders.
But Franchot said his office got more than 800 emails in protest from smokers of premium cigars (defined as costing more than $2) who said they ordered them online from specialty shops in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
Read more at baltimoresun.com...
