Attorney general sues online tobacco sites

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says his office is suing six website operators, accusing them of illegally selling cigarettes to New York residents.

Schneiderman says the online sales represents hundreds of millions in lost sales tax revenues for the state. He also contends that online cigarette sales makes it easier for minors to buy cigarettes.

The attorney general says investigators in his office made numerous cigarette purchases, ordering off the websites in recent months.

State law requires anyone shipping cigarettes to be a licensed cigarette tax agent or wholesale dealer.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.