Does 711 Sell Cigarettes, Cigars, Cigarette Papers, and Vapes in 2024? Everything You Need to Know
711 stores are staples for grabbing a snack or drink quickly, but did you know the convenience chain is also one of the biggest tobacco retailers in the United States? With nearly 9,000 locations nationwide, 711 sells major cigarette brands, cigars, and vaping supplies.
However, availability and prices vary between franchises. And some locations have been fined for selling to minors. Here is a detailed look at what types of tobacco and nicotine products you can find at 711 convenience stores in 2024.
Overview of Tobacco & Vape Products Sold at 711
While selections differ across franchise locations, here is what 711 typically carries:
Cigarettes: All major brands like Marlboro, Newport, Camel. 711 is one of the largest cigarette retailers.
Cigars: Budget machine-made cigars like Swisher Sweets, Dutch Masters, Garcia Y Vega. Limited options.
Cigarette Papers: None. 711 stopped selling rolling papers in 1979.
Vapes/E-cigs: Mostly disposable vape pens from brands like Puff Bar and Huff & Puff. Some stores may carry e-juice.
According to CDC data, over 48% of convenience stores sell cigarettes, and 711 is responsible for 2.2% of all cigarette sales nationwide. As the chain with the most locations in North America, 711 has a major foothold in cigarette and tobacco availability.
However, while cigarettes, cigars, and vapes are staples at most spots, local regulations and the preferences of franchise owners can affect merchandise. It‘s wise to call ahead to your neighborhood 711 to confirm specifics.
Cigarette Brands Sold at 711
711 aims to stock the top-selling cigarette brands preferred by most customers including:
Marlboro – The most popular cigarette brand, accounting for over 40% of U.S. sales.
Newport – The #2 best-selling cigarette with menthol flavoring.
Camel – Camel nosedived in popularity but remains well-known.
Pall Mall – One of the most affordable major brand options.
Winston – Historically one of the major brands.
Parliament – A higher-end cigarette offering from R.J Reynolds.
Virginia Slims – A long skinny women-focused cigarette.
Kool – Once the most popular menthol cigarette brand.
You can expect to pay slightly higher prices for cigarettes at 711 locations compared to supermarkets. But the convenience factor of easy accessibility makes 711 a popular option for smokers to quickly grab a pack.
Cigar Selection at 711 Stores
The cigar selection at 711 is not vast, but you can find a range of inexpensive, shorter machine-made cigar options. Most locations stock brands like:
White Owl – Fruit-flavored machine-made cigars.
Swisher Sweets – Popular for the sweetened tip.
Dutch Masters – Offers cigars, mini cigars, and cigarillos.
Backwoods – Known for cigars wrapped in tobacco leaf.
Garcia Y Vega – Brand with cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars.
For premium handmade cigars, you‘ll want to visit a dedicated cigar shop instead. But 711 carries plenty of budget quick-smoke cigars for when you need one fast.
Why 711 Doesn‘t Sell Cigarette Papers
711 once carried cigarette rolling papers up until 1979, when the company made a strategic decision to pull the product from shelves.
There were a few factors that led to this choice:
Roll-your-own cigarette usage was declining in popularity.
711 was concerned papers were being used to roll marijuana joints.
Cigarette papers were a low revenue product taking up shelf space.
So 711 opted to cease sales of cigarette papers and hasn‘t sold them since. Don‘t expect to find any rolling papers, tubes, or loose tobacco for roll your own cigarettes at modern 711 stores.
Vapes and E-Cigs at 711
Reflecting vaping‘s growth as the most popular nicotine product among youth, most 711 convenience stores now sell vaping supplies:
Disposable Vape Pens – 711‘s vape selection focuses on convenient one-time disposable vape pens from Puff Bar, HYDE, Ezzy Oval, and other brands.
E-Cigarettes – Some locations may also offer e-cigs like Huff & Puff or other inexpensive gas station e-cigarette brands.
E-Juice – A limited range of vape juice may be available at some spots, but many 711s do not sell e-juice.
Vape enthusiasts will be better served at a vape specialty store. But 711 provides easy access to affordable basic disposable vape pens for adult smokers looking to make a quick purchase.
Availability Varies by Franchise Location
It‘s important to note that 711‘s 10,000+ U.S. locations are independently owned franchises. So the cigarette, cigar, and vape selection can differ from one 711 to the next. Availability and pricing comes down to the preferences and discretion of the franchise owner.
Local regulations can also impact what tobacco products a 711 location can sell:
New York City – banned the sale of all flavored e-cigarette products including disposable vape pens.
Beverly Hills, CA – banned all tobacco sales citywide. 711s in the area cannot sell any cigarettes, cigars, or vapes.
Montgomery County, MD – bans the sale of flavored vaping products and disposable e-cigarettes.
Always check with your nearby 711 on current tobacco merchandise, as restrictive local laws may impact what they carry.
Are Minors Able to Buy Tobacco at 711?
While 711 corporate policy mandates checking ID for anyone under 27 years old, numerous undercover investigations have found issues with employees failing to ask for identification and selling tobacco to underage shoppers at some franchise locations.
Fines for violations have exceeded $100,000 in certain jurisdictions. 711 claims it has increased minor compliance training and secret shopper visits. But availability of tobacco at any retail location makes it possible for youth to access.
Conclusion
711 does sell major cigarettes brands, budget machine-made cigars, and disposable vapes at most U.S. locations. However, what‘s carried and restrictions depend on the individual franchise owner. Be sure to call ahead and always have valid photo ID ready when purchasing tobacco. While convenient, health experts caution relying on gas stations and convenience locations as a primary tobacco source can increase smoking rates.
