How Is This Even Legal?

[blas87]

At work last night, a coworker had a newspaper article saying it's now going to be illegal to purchase cigarettes/electronic smoking products over the Internet and through the mail, and the post office will be confiscating the products. The article was about a woman who ordered several hundreds of dollars in smokes, it was confiscated and she's not getting her money back or the smokes.

I understand the post office has the right to confiscate and go through your mail if they feel a threat or danger......but how in the world can they make it legal for them to go through your packages and confiscate cigarettes and tobacco products?!

[lordlundar]

At work last night, a coworker had a newspaper article saying it's now going to be illegal to purchase cigarettes/electronic smoking products over the Internet and through the mail, and the post office will be confiscating the products. The article was about a woman who ordered several hundreds of dollars in smokes, it was confiscated and she's not getting her money back or the smokes.

I understand the post office has the right to confiscate and go through your mail if they feel a threat or danger......but how in the world can they make it legal for them to go through your packages and confiscate cigarettes and tobacco products?!

Technically, they can permit the USPS to confiscate anything at their discretion. Don't forget the USPS is a public service, so if congress passes a bill saying water cannot be shipped in the mail, then the USPS has full authority to remove all water products.

[BlaqueKatt]

I understand the post office has the right to confiscate and go through your mail if they feel a threat or danger......but how in the world can they make it legal for them to go through your packages and confiscate cigarettes and tobacco products?!

It's usually done for tax evasion purposes-buying tobacco products online that is-which is illegal. They have also gotten lists of CC numbers and shipping addresses from people buying online and sent them tax bills, and fines on top of that for tax evasion. It's considered a crime.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

And the simple fact that they can employ technology and/or trained animals to pinpoint packages with such contained therein.

If it becomes illegal to ship it, then they are empowered by the government to inspect and remove such.

It becomes no different than stopping someone from shipping a kilo of cocaine.

[Hobbs]

......but how in the world can they make it legal

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises...To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes...To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

[blas87]

I never bought ciggs on the Internet, the closest I ever came to scamming the system was giving people money when they went out of state to get me smokes that weren't nearly $8 a pack.

I don't think it's very fair that people like my bf's brother order prescription drugs online and those don't get flagged the way tobacco is going to be nowadays.

[Greenday]

I'm really surprised there isn't more control over prescriptions online. I feel like that's so easily scammable.

[blas87]

It's no big deal at all. My bf's brother's orders have never been flagged or confiscated. He had a scare when his last package didn't come on the day it was scheduled to, but his crazy ass was accusing my bf of stealing it, instead of the thought I had, which was that it got flagged and soon the cops would be coming.

[BlaqueKatt]

well from what I've read of the law it only applies to actual tobacco, not to the "e-cigs"-so yay those are still safe for now.

[blas87]

We interpreted the article to mean anything involving tobacco/nicotine.

[Rageaholic]

I don't know how it's legal, but I think it sucks. It reminds me of a similar case involving online gambling where the feds shut it down and people were unable to get their money back. The government should stay out of these kind of things.

[Hobbs]

It's legal because the federal government has the authority to regulate interstate commerce. As I posted.

[Greenday]

I don't know how it's legal, but I think it sucks. It reminds me of a similar case involving online gambling where the feds shut it down and people were unable to get their money back. The government should stay out of these kind of things.

You mean people should be able to gamble online where they won't have to pay taxes on their winnings like they would in a casino!?

[Rageaholic]

Taxes are what they're worried about? Seriously? I understand the need for taxes, but this is just ridonkulous.

[blas87]

The ciggs thing is about tax evasion as well. People have been increasingly buying ciggs online to avoid paying the huge taxes slapped on them. I don't go that far because a lot of those smokes are no-name brand really nasty.