Guide · Updated 2026

Menthol bans by state: what is actually restricted

Quick answer: As of 2026, Massachusetts and California prohibit the retail sale of menthol and other flavoured tobacco products. Most other states have no statewide menthol ban, though some cities do. Federal action has been proposed but not finalised.

Menthol rules in the U.S. are set state by state, not nationally, which is why the same pack can be legal in one state and restricted in the next.

The two statewide bans

What "flavoured" includes

These laws target any characterizing flavour other than tobacco — menthol, mint, fruit, candy, and crush-capsule cigarettes. A carton labelled "Menthol" or "Ice" falls inside the definition in both states.

Local rules

Several cities have their own restrictions independent of state law, so a product can be restricted inside one city and sold normally 30 miles away. If you are buying for delivery, the relevant rule is usually the destination address rather than where the seller is located.

What this means for online orders

We ship only within the United States and require age verification and an adult signature. Orders to states with active restrictions are screened, and restricted items are not shipped there. If you are unsure whether a product is allowed at your address, ask before ordering — it is a two-minute WhatsApp message rather than a return.

What has not changed

Menthol cartons remain a large part of the U.S. market outside the two ban states. Newport Menthol and ESSE Menthol are still standard products everywhere else, and nothing about the federal picture has been finalised.