Tobacco Tax Laws and Rules

This section covers how to ensure tobacco products are legal, what’s illegal, and the laws and rules about tobacco products.

Making sure your roll-your-own tobacco is legal

We understand it can be challenging to keep up with Idaho tobacco regulations, and we want to help ensure your roll-your-own tobacco is legal.

You can check a directory the Attorney General’s Office (AG) keeps of all cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products that comply with Idaho’s Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) Act and MSA Complementary Acts. This directory is called the Idaho Directory of Compliant Tobacco Product Manufacturers and Brand Families (Directory). If a product isn’t in the Directory, it’s illegal.

View the Directory on the AG’s website.

You can also receive notice when the AG makes changes to the Directory. The AG provides 10 days’ notice before removing brands from the list.

Receive notice of Directory changes by doing one of these:

  • Call the AG’s Consumer Protection Division at (208) 334-2424.
  • Email tobaccoenforcement@ag.idaho.gov and request notice. Include your street address if you want notifications mailed to you.

Illegal products

Roll-your-own tobacco products not listed in the AG’s Directory are illegal. The State of Idaho can seize illegal products. If you unintentionally violate the law, we’ll work with you to resolve the issue. Often, you can voluntarily turn over illegal roll-your-own tobacco to the Tax Commission.

Tax collection, regulation, and enforcement

  • The Idaho State Tax Commission collects and enforces cigarette and tobacco taxes. 
  • The Idaho Attorney General’s Office ensures that tobacco manufacturers comply with Idaho’s MSA Act and MSA Complementary Act. 
  • The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare regulates retail sales of tobacco products. 
  • The State Fire Marshal manages Idaho’s Fire Standard Compliant (FSC) cigarette program. 
  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Attorney General, and many tribal governments also regulate tobacco in Idaho.

Laws, rules, and decisions