Where Can I Buy Menthol Cigarettes Near Me? [2025 Store Guide]
Where can you buy menthol cigarettes near me? The sort of thing I love is how menthol cigarettes have become harder to find as new restrictions roll out. Columbus will prohibit more than 800 stores from selling flavored cigarettes and vapes starting January 1st. The ban targets products containing “distinguishable” flavorings beyond natural tobacco, which substantially affects menthol cigarettes – these make up more than 25% of the cigarette market.
Menthol cigarettes remain popular with nearly 19 million American smokers. Black smokers show a strong preference, with 85% choosing menthols, while only 30% of white smokers opt for them. Ohio’s residents face a unique challenge since the state’s smoking rate sits at 17.1%, surpassing the national average of 11.5%. This piece will help you find stores selling menthol cigarettes nearby as the digital world adapts to new regulations in 2025.
Understanding the Menthol Cigarette Ban in 2025
The rules around menthol cigarettes changed a lot in 2025. These cigarettes became the main focus of tobacco regulation after years of debate, given their special properties and how they were marketed.
Why menthol cigarettes are being restricted
Menthol cigarettes stand apart from regular flavor variants. Menthol masks the harshness of smoke and creates a cooling effect that lets people inhale cigarettes more easily, especially new smokers. Health officials worry because menthol makes it easier to start smoking and harder to quit.
Tobacco companies targeted specific groups with menthol products over the years. Studies show over 80% of Black individuals who smoke choose menthol cigarettes, while only 35% of non-Hispanic white smokers use them. This targeted approach led to major health gaps. Tobacco use ranks as the leading preventable cause of death among African Americans and claims about 45,000 Black lives yearly.
Which cities and states have active bans
Two states now ban menthol cigarettes completely. Massachusetts led the way by banning all flavored tobacco products in 2020, and California followed in 2022. More than 190 cities and counties in at least eight states have also stopped menthol cigarette sales.
Key places with menthol restrictions include:
- District of Columbia (effective September 2021)
- City of Chicago (effective November 2021)
- City of Brunswick, Maine (effective June 2022)
Many smokers just drive to nearby states to buy menthol cigarettes when their state bans them. Menthol sales grew by 78% in New Hampshire and 42.5% in Rhode Island during the year after Massachusetts banned them.
How state laws override local bans
State preemption laws stop local governments from making their own tobacco rules. The American Lung Association reports that 39 states have laws that override local regulations.
Ohio blocked its cities and counties from passing tobacco control ordinances recently. This creates different rules across regions where state decisions beat local restrictions. People asking “where can I buy menthol cigarettes near me” might still find them available because of these preemption laws.
Cheapcartoncigarettes.com offers menthol cigarettes with free shipping when you can’t find them locally. This online option helps you get your preferred tobacco products despite the complex rules.
Where Can I Buy Menthol Cigarettes Near Me Legally?
Ohio residents can now buy menthol cigarettes more easily, despite nationwide restrictions. This comes from state-level preemption laws. People asking “where can I buy menthol cigarettes near me” will find different answers based on where they live.
Cities in Ohio where menthol sales are still allowed
The state Legislature made a radical alteration in tobacco regulation by overriding local menthol bans in January 2024. This move canceled Columbus’ ban on flavored tobacco products and stopped other cities from creating similar restrictions. The preemption law now lets almost all Ohio cities sell menthol cigarettes, including major markets like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
Menthol cigarettes are accessible to more people throughout Ohio while legal challenges continue. This remains true even though 14 Ohio cities—including Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Heath, Oxford, Worthington, and Gahanna—filed lawsuits against the state preemption.
How to find stores that sell menthol cigarettes
Tobacco companies make it easy to find stores selling menthol cigarettes through their websites:
- Liggett Vector Brands has a store locator that finds nearby retailers when you enter your ZIP code or city and state and select a product
- Sam’s Club sells menthol cigarettes from brands like Newport, Marlboro Red, Kool, Lucky Strike, and Benson & Hedges
Buying cartons instead of individual packs saves money by a lot. Sam’s Club calls this the “cheap cigarettes option” for people watching their budget.
Tips for checking store availability near you
These practical steps will help you find what you need:
- Check with the store first to make sure they have menthol cigarettes
- Know the age rules—Sam’s Club states they “do not sell cigarettes to young people” and all tobacco products are “for adults only”
- You can buy cheap cigarettes at cheapcartoncigarettes.com with free shipping if local stores don’t have what you want
Native American reservations often have special prices. Sheeley’s gas station on an Indian Reservation near Palm Springs sells menthols at $7.99 per pack or $59.00 per carton ($5.90 per pack) without tax.
7 Places to Buy Menthol Cigarettes in 2025
Menthol cigarette fans still have plenty of buying options in 2025. Finding your favorite brands gets trickier as regulations change.
1. Gas stations and convenience stores
Big chains like Circle K, Shell, and Rabba Fine Foods stock menthol cigarettes where there’s no ban. These spots work great when you need to find “where can I buy menthol cigarettes near me open now” since they’re open late. You’ll find good prices on Newport and Kool at most convenience stores, but stock levels can vary.
2. Tobacco specialty shops
Tobacco shops stock more menthol cigarette brands than your average convenience store. The staff really knows their stuff and can help you find alternatives if your usual brand isn’t around. These shops often beat online prices with their carton deals.
3. Indian reservations
Native American reservations sell some of the cheapest menthol cigarettes around. The Canadian government doesn’t allow menthol cigarettes, but Indigenous brands stay available because different rules apply. Popular spots include Six Nations, Akwesasne, and Tyendinaga in Ontario; Kahnawake in Quebec; and several shops in British Columbia and Alberta. Remember to bring your status card.
4. Border towns with no bans
Border towns have turned into cigarette shopping destinations when one state bans menthol and its neighbor doesn’t. New Hampshire’s menthol sales jumped 78% after Massachusetts banned flavored tobacco.
5. Online retailers (with age verification)
Many websites ship menthol cigarettes nationwide. Native Smokes 4 Less lets you buy Canadian menthol cigarettes despite regulatory restrictions. Good online sellers check IDs for anyone under 30 to stay legal.
6. Discount warehouses and wholesalers
Sam’s Club carries big names like Newport, Marlboro Red, Kool, Lucky Strike, and Benson & Hedges. Buying cartons saves you money compared to single packs.
7. Buy cheap cigarettes at cheapcartoncigarettes.com (free shipping)
Cheapcartoncigarettes.com ships all orders free. They sell popular options like Ace Pale Green Menthol 100’s at $30.00 per carton of 10 packs. This is a big deal as it means that you pay just $3 per pack—way less than store prices.
What to Know Before You Buy
You need to know about several legal and practical aspects that affect your menthol cigarette purchases in 2025.
Age restrictions and ID requirements
Federal law has banned tobacco sales to anyone under 21 since December 2019. This rule, known as “Tobacco 21” or “T21,” applies in every store. Starting September 30, 2024, stores must check photo IDs of customers under 30 who want to buy tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. This new rule is stricter than before, when stores only checked IDs for people under 27.
Brand availability: Newport, Kool, Salem, etc.
Popular brands like Newport, Kool, and Salem are still available in states that haven’t banned them. Sam’s Club and other discount warehouses stock these major menthol brands. If you can’t find them locally, cheapcartoncigarettes.com offers these products with free shipping.
Risks of counterfeit or illegal sales
Counterfeit cigarettes are really dangerous compared to legal products. Tests show these fake cigarettes contain five times more cadmium, six times more lead, 160% more tar, and 133% more carbon monoxide than genuine ones. Canadian officials have found human feces, dead flies, mold, and insect eggs in fake products.
You can spot fakes by looking at the packaging. Watch for odd colors, missing health warnings, grammar mistakes, or slightly wrong logos. The money impact hits hard too—Canada loses about $1.5 billion in tax money each year from illegal cigarette sales.
Where can I buy menthol cigarettes near me open now?
Late-night menthol cigarette shopping offers several options. Gopuff delivers tobacco and thousands of other items in just 15 minutes. Many 24-hour gas stations and convenience stores stock menthol cigarettes where they’re legal.
Canadian smokers dealing with tougher rules can check out Native Smokes 4 Less. They sell cigarettes starting at $50 per carton. Their “Toronto tobacco delivery” service lets you get cigarettes without leaving home.
It’s worth mentioning that stores must follow all federal laws, including age checks, whatever time they’re open. So always bring valid photo ID when buying tobacco, even late at night.
Conclusion
The search for menthol cigarettes gets trickier as US regulations keep changing. Smokers need to keep track of their local laws that affect these products. The digital world looks quite different depending on where you live – states like Massachusetts and California have complete bans while others like Ohio make these products widely available through preemption laws.
In spite of that, you can still find menthol cigarettes through reliable sources in 2025. Many regions allow sales at gas stations, tobacco specialty shops, and Native American reservations. Border towns near states without restrictions have seen their cigarette sales go up as people cross state lines to buy them.
ID checks have definitely become tougher, and sellers must verify anyone under 30. You should carry proper identification to buy tobacco products, whatever your age might be. These days, you also need to watch out for fake products. They pose health risks beyond those of regular cigarettes.
Without doubt, online stores are a great way to get what you need when local shops run dry. Many people who smoke menthol choose to buy cheap cigarettes at cheapcartoncigarettes.com with free shipping. They can get brands like Ace Pale Green Menthol 100’s at prices that are substantially lower than retail.
The future of menthol cigarette availability remains uncertain. This piece should help you understand current rules and find trustworthy places to buy. Legal options still exist for adults who prefer menthol products – you just need to know the right places to look.
FAQs
Q1. Are menthol cigarettes still available for purchase in the United States? Menthol cigarette availability varies by location. While some states and cities have implemented bans, many areas still allow their sale. However, regulations are evolving, and it’s important to check local laws.
Q2. Where can I find menthol cigarettes in Ohio? In Ohio, menthol cigarettes are widely available due to state preemption laws overriding local bans. You can find them at gas stations, convenience stores, tobacco shops, and some discount warehouses throughout the state.
Q3. What age restrictions apply to purchasing menthol cigarettes? Federal law prohibits the sale of all tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, to anyone under 21 years old. Retailers are required to check photo ID for anyone who appears to be under 30 years of age.
Q4. Are there online options for buying menthol cigarettes? Yes, there are online retailers that sell menthol cigarettes with nationwide shipping. These sites typically employ age verification systems to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Some even offer free shipping on orders.
Q5. How can I identify counterfeit menthol cigarettes? To spot counterfeit cigarettes, examine the packaging for unusual coloration, missing health warnings, grammatical errors, or slightly incorrect logos. Counterfeit products can contain harmful substances and pose serious health risks beyond those of legitimate cigarettes.