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Can DoorDash Deliver Cigarettes?

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Grocery Delivery & Pickup, Laws

As you probably know, your fave meals can be ordered with DoorDash, and even groceries and liquor. But can DoorDash deliver cigarettes? 

DoorDash can deliver cigarettes. But, certain conditions have to be met before they will. For example, they require an in-person delivery, and an ID is required to prove the recipient is at or over 21.

Because this is an age-restricted product, DoorDash or the Dasher could be held liable in some cases. Also, DoorDash allows dashers to decline orders for cigs if the Dasher is unwilling or not old enough to purchase them.

In this article, we’ll explore some vital issues around whether DoorDash can deliver cigarettes.

We’ll check out how to order cigarettes from DoorDash, whether Walmart delivers cigarettes with DoorDash, and if DoorDash would leave cigarettes by your door. We’ll also find out if Dashers check IDs and if they have to be over 21 to deliver cigarettes.

Let’s dive right in…

DoorDash deliver cigarettes lg

How do I order cigarettes from DoorDash?

Order cigarettes from DoorDash using its app or website. Click on special order types. Then, you can order cigarettes, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and related products for which preconditions need to be met. 

Before the dasher would deliver your order, they would check your ID to confirm that you are at least 21. 

So, you’re 21 above? Great. But, that doesn’t mean you would automatically have your order delivered. Why? Well, DoorDash prohibits the delivery of cigarettes to the following locations:

  • Other businesses that sell tobacco
  • Locker or similar package storage facility
  • P.O. Boxes
  • Prison, reformatory, veteran’s home, or state capitol grounds
  • College campus (e.g. frat house)
  • Sport venues
  • Hospitals and health care facilities
  • Public or private school

By the way, you may not be able to order cigarettes in every state, even if the conditions shared above have been met. Some states do not allow it. So, double-check with DoorDash.

Does Instacart Deliver Cigarettes? 

As of the time of writing, they do not. In fact, they do not deliver any tobacco products. But, they’ve recently started delivering alcohol, so it’s possible that would change in the near- future. In a recent article of mine, I shared more details on the theme.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Does Walmart deliver cigarettes with DoorDash?

Walmart delivers cigarettes with DoorDash. However, this is not available in all states. As of the time of writing, they deliver in 46 states. Therefore, you would need to confirm what is the status concerning the state where you reside.

The partnership with DoorDash started in 2018. 

As of the end of 2019, Walmart offered grocery pick-up at more than 3000 stores and delivery at more than 1900. By the way, pick-up is free. Their goal is to make shopping at Walmart the easiest and most valuable place to shop.

But, they do not offer delivery services in the following places.

  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Maine
  • Vermont

This will likely change in the near future.

Will DoorDash leave cigarettes at my door?

DoorDash will not leave cigarettes at the door. This is because the law requires that the buyer’s ID must be verified to confirm that they are at least 21 before they can collect their orders and that the buyer cannot be inebriated when the purchase is being delivered. 

There are also certain restricted locations. DoorDash would not leave cigarettes at your door.

Cigarettes, alcohol, pharmaceuticals… are special orders. Unlike regular products, certain conditions have to be met before you can order them online and have them delivered. 

Cigarettes are not to be sold to minors. 

Dashers can be held liable if they were to sell cigarettes to anyone who is below the age of 21. So, no Dasher would agree to simply leave your cigs by your door.

Do DoorDash drivers check ID for cigarettes?

Dashers do check IDs to confirm that the buyer is indeed up to 21, and they would use a relevant technology on their smartphone to verify that the ID is valid and has not expired. Upon delivery, they will ask to see the credit card used for the purchase and your ID.

The law stipulates that when an order contains a tobacco product, the person delivering must confirm that the buyer is not a minor. If Dashers deliver to minors or folks that are visibly drunk, they could be held liable. 

It’s not just that they check IDs; they also make sure it’s a valid ID, the type that’s approved by the government. 

They would ask that you hand over the ID. Amongst other things, it must include a photo and your date of birth. They would check it and compare its photo to you, the customer.

There are some other criteria that DoorDash provides to enable dashers to confirm that the ID is genuine and has not expired.

DoorDash allows Dashers to also use their discretion. 

So, even if you’ve ostensibly met the requirements, if a Dasher is convinced it’s not reasonable to deliver to you, they won’t. In other words, whether you’ll get your cigs or not depends on the Dasher.

Does DoorDash deliver alcohol?

Yes, they do. But, some restaurants do not allow it, while others may require a food purchase, too. In a recent article of mine, I offered the full story.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do DoorDash drivers have to be over 21 to deliver cigarettes?

Dashers must be 21 or older to pick up and deliver cigarettes because tobacco orders are for 21+. Therefore, dashers need a valid ID to pick up the cigarettes, as it would be checked before they are allowed to go ahead and deliver them to customers.

In DoorDash’s policy on delivering tobacco, the age requirement is specifically stated.

“Tobacco orders are for 21+. To pick up an order including tobacco products, you will be required to present your valid driver’s license, so please make sure you have it on you before accepting the order. Dashers must be 21 or older to deliver tobacco.”

Is Instacart and DoorDash the same company?

No. Instacart was founded by a former Amazon employee Apoorva Mehta, while DoorDash was founded by Tony Xu, Andy Fang, and Stanley Tang. Check out a recent article of mine where I share a lot more.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we focused on whether DoorDash can deliver cigarettes. 

We learned that it does deliver cigarettes, in certain states, provided that certain conditions are met. 

We learned that one could order cigarettes via DoorDash’s app or website and that dashers (who have to be at least 21) would not leave the order at the door because they are required to check that buyers have a valid ID and are at least 21. 

They also need to confirm that the buyer is not visibly drunk.

They have the prerogative to hand it over or refuse even if a buyer has an ID and is up to 21. And they check that buyers meet these conditions. If they don’t, they could be held liable.

Can’t wait for a delivery and think you’ll grab some smokes at TJ’s? Does Trader Joes even sell tobacco products in its stores?

The answer I give in a recent article might surprise you. That’s especially considering that the brothers who started Trader Joe’s and Aldi had a huge falling out over selling cigarettes.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Photo which requires attribution:

A Street Scene on Granville Street, Downtown, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic by GoToVan is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, edited, and had a graphic and text overlay added.

Jeff Campbell
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