Although cigarette sales in the US have been on the decline over the past half-century, many retail stores still carry tobacco products on their shelves. Walmart is arguably the largest retail store in the US.
It operates over 4,700 stores in all 50 states. They also carry a wide line of products that includes groceries and produce along with retail products.
Does Walmart Sell Cigarettes in 2021?
As part of their many lines of products, Walmart does sell cigarettes in all of their locations in the United States. While some states may have laws that restrict the sale of cigarettes under certain conditions, all Walmart locations will have cigarettes as part of their product line.
Related: Does Walmart Sell Alcohol?
What Types of Cigarettes Does Walmart Sell?
Walmart carries a wide range of cigarette brands. You can find them in individual packs just like you can at many convenience store locations.
In addition to cigarettes, Walmart offers cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. Rolling paper is available at many of their stores, but not all of them. This is because several states along with Canada restrict the sale of rolling papers.
In addition, Walmart does not sell vaping products or e-cigarettes. As of 2019, you cannot find vapes, vape juices, or Juuls at any of their locations in the US.
How Much do Cigarettes Cost?
Because cigarettes are taxed by states at different rates, the average cost can vary considerably across the nation and in Walmart locations. Generally speaking, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes in Walmart is $6.96.
For the most part, Walmart sells cigarettes at the lowest price. Keep in mind that 27 states have cigarette prices above the average while the rest are below.
In addition, the average price does not include cigarettes sold on land that is owned by Native American tribes. Such tribes do not fall under the state tax system as they are on land recognized by the federal government.
So, cigarette prices are lower on land owned by Native American tribes.
Related: How Much Money Do Smokers Spend on Cigarettes?
Where in Walmart Can I Find Cigarettes?
Although the locations for cigarettes in Walmart are not exact from store to store, you are most likely to find them at one of the checkout aisles. This is because cigarettes can only be sold to adults who are at least 21 years old, so they are kept protected behind one of the checkout counters.
You can normally find the checkout location with tobacco products in one of the center aisles.
Some Walmart locations may have signs that identify which checkout aisles has tobacco products available while others do not. You may have to ask one of the Walmart employees where the tobacco products are sold.
It is also possible that the tobacco products are sold in another location depending on the specific Walmart store, so you may need to ask.
Learn More: check to see if Walmart locations have coin-counting machines and ATMs and where they’re located in the store.
Does Walmart Sell Cigarettes by the Carton?
There is no evidence that Walmart sells cigarettes by the carton. The cigarettes that are sold at Walmart are almost always individual packs. However, that does not preclude the possibility that cartons are not being sold at any specific location.
This is because cigarettes are delivered to Walmart and other retail stores in cartons from the manufacturer. It is up to the individual store to decide whether selling in cartons is profitable or not.
So, it is possible that some Walmart locations offer cigarettes in cartons while others do not. There is no way to know unless you visit the store itself and find out.
Related: Does Walmart Have a Rewards Program?
Does Walmart Sell Cigarettes Online?
The answer seems to be no. On Walmart’s own website cigarettes are not listed in any fashion. When you search the Walmart website for cigarettes, it provides a list of books about cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, and other tobacco-related items.
However, Walmart does not engage in the sale of cigarettes online.
That may be because Walmart recently raised the minimum age to 21 in terms of to whom it sells cigarettes, Age verification online is next to impossible when selling products on the internet.
So, no such sales are possible online at this time. You will need to visit the Walmart location and purchase the cigarettes in person.
Are There Cigarette Alternatives at Walmart?
In 2019, Walmart stopped selling e-cigarettes, vapes, and related products. What Walmart does offer is tobacco-related products in their locations. This means that the alternative to cigarettes at each location consists of pipe, loose, and chewing tobacco along with cigars.
However, Walmart does offer products with nicotine, which is an addictive substance found in tobacco. Such products include nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches. For those trying to quit tobacco products, nicotine alternatives are available.
In addition, most Walmart locations offer beer and wine in their stores. This depends on the individual state as they have their own rules and regulations about what alcohol products can be sold in retail stores.As for hard liquor products, most Walmart locations will not sell them.
You can check with your state’s laws that govern the sale of alcoholic products to see what type of locations can sell different types of alcohol.
Check if these stores sell cigarettes: Rite Aid | Aldi | Walgreens | Albertsons
Can You Return Cigarettes to Walmart?
As with most retail stores, you can only return consumables if the package has not been opened and you still have the receipt. Under such conditions, you can return cigarettes to Walmart at the appropriate location in their store.
Learn more: How Do I Return Items to Walmart? (Easy Step-by-Step)
If you have opened the pack of cigarettes, then you cannot return the item. This is because cigarettes are a consumable similar to food or beverages.
Once you open the pack, you void the return policy. Keep in mind that such a policy does not apply to products that are not consumables such as furniture, books, or other similar products.
As of 2021, you can purchase cigarettes at Walmart. You can also purchase other tobacco products such as cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco.
You can also purchase cigarette-related products such as lighters and nicotine gum, lozenges, and patches. Currently, you cannot purchase e-cigarettes or vaping products at any Walmart location.
Cigarette Average Prices By State
The average price for a pack of cigarettes throughout the United States is $7.15 including taxes. The most expensive state to buy cigarettes is New York at $12.85 per pack, with Illinois closely behind at $11.50 per pack.
The cheapest state to buy cigarettes is Virginia at $5.30 per pack, with many other states close to the $5 – $6 average price, which makes you consider that states like New York add a lot of tax to their cigarettes.
| Alabama | $5.51 |
| Alaska | $9.79 |
| Arizona | $8.05 |
| Arkansas | $6.07 |
| California | $8.31 |
| Colorado | $5.65 |
| Connecticut | $9.52 |
| DC | $9.49 |
| Delaware | $6.35 |
| Florida | $6.30 |
| Georgia | $5.39 |
| Hawaii | $9.55 |
| Idaho | $5.41 |
| Illinois | $11.50 |
| Indiana | $5.97 |
| Iowa | $6.29 |
| Kansas | $5.83 |
| Kentucky | $5.40 |
| Louisiana | $5.44 |
| Maine | $7.37 |
| Maryland | $7.75 |
| Massachusetts | $9.95 |
| Michigan | $8.00 |
| Minnesota | $8.10 |
| Mississippi | $6.34 |
| Missouri | $5.25 |
| Montana | $6.46 |
| Nebraska | $6.23 |
| Nevada | $6.15 |
| New Hampshire | $6.64 |
| New Jersey | $8.20 |
| New Mexico | $7.67 |
| New York | $12.85 |
| North Carolina | $5.45 |
| North Dakota | $5.33 |
| Ohio | $6.03 |
| Oklahoma | $6.29 |
| Oregon | $5.69 |
| Pennsylvania | $8.51 |
| Rhode Island | $10.15 |
| South Carolina | $5.85 |
| South Dakota | $6.08 |
| Tennessee | $5.30 |
| Texas | $6.69 |
| Utah | $6.89 |
| Vermont | $9.62 |
| Virginia | $5.25 |
| Washington | $9.30 |
| West Virginia | $5.43 |
| Wisconsin | $8.82 |
| Wyoming | $5.41 |
