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GREENSBORO, N.C.(AP) -- Lorillard Tobacco Co. said Monday it had reached agreement with more than 30 states, including Utah, to prevent illegal cigarette sales through the mail and Internet in a move also expected to reduce the sales of cigarettes to minors.
"We applaud Lorillard for joining with the law enforcement community in taking these steps to prevent illegal trafficking over the Internet," said a spokeswoman for New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, who has led the multistate effort.
Spokeswoman Christine Pritchard said there is a goal of reaching agreements from other tobacco companies, but that there is no timetable.
In addition to targeting minors, officials said Internet and mail-order sales can avoid sales taxes and that foreign sales can violate federal laws on labeling, contraband, money laundering and smuggling.
Lorillard said it will curtail direct shipments to customers determined to have engaged in illegal sales and suspend promotional programs for sellers who engaged in illegal sales.
"Lorillard always has supported compliance with laws dealing with the illegal sale of our products, and has instituted measures to punish those who are determined to be in violation of the law," said Ronald S. Milstein, senior vice president, legal and external affairs for Lorillard.
"We believe that these measures will assist our active efforts to combat counterfeit product sales and will help us and our customers to comply with the laws and regulations intended to stop sales to and consumption of our products by youth."
The agreement applies in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
