There is no tax on tabacco products when you purchase over the internet. A carton of Marlboro's , Camel, Newport premium cigs cost about $35.00 in most of the retail stores in the US states. You can purchase a carton of premium cigs in the internet for as low as $13.00.
The large tobacco companies...Phillip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and others were getting there ass kicked at retail by these internet companies.
It was these big tobacco companies and state representatives representing the tobacco industry, that put the pressure on the credit card companies to stop accepting payment through the internet.
This is the only way big tobacco can be profitable and ensure minors did not have such easy access to cigs.
Steady 
"Hook-Em-Horns"