Washington proposal would ban Internet tobacco sales

January 8, 12:08 PMWashington Law ExaminerMichael Reitz

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Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna would like to ban the sale of tobacco products over the Internet.

Yesterday McKenna released his 2009 legislative agenda. Most of the proposals focused on protecting the state’s most vulnerable citizens and helping financially strapped homeowners.

But the item regarding tobacco sales could raise some eyebrows. The proposed bill would prohibit the shipment of cigarettes purchased through the Internet or by mail order to anyone other than licensed wholesalers or retailers. McKenna says this would correct a loophole in Washington’s laws.

The proposal could have a severe impact on online tobacconists, such as JRCigars.com, which rely heavily on mail-order sales. 

McKenna, a Republican who easily won re-election in 2008, has been successful in moving legislation through the Democratic-controlled legislature. His other proposals for the 2009 legislative session include training for government entities on complying with the state's Open Public Meetings Act, protecting the victims of domestic abuse, and relief for homeowners facing foreclosure.