GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - Lorillard Tobacco Co. said Monday it reached agreements with Iowa and 30 other states to prevent illegal cigarette sales through the mail and Internet.

"The bottom line here is that kids will have less access to cigarettes," said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller. "And that's very important because most smokers start when they are young."

The negotiations with Lorillard were led by the New York attorney general's office, which said it expects to reach agreements from other tobacco companies. There is no timetable for any other agreements, said Christine Pritchard, a spokeswoman with the New York attorney general's office.

In addition to targeting minors, officials said Internet and mail-order sales can avoid sales taxes and that foreign sales can violate federal laws on labeling, contraband, money laundering and smuggling.

Lorillard said it will curtail direct shipments to customers determined to have engaged in illegal sales and suspend promotional programs for sellers who engaged in illegal sales.

"Lorillard always has supported compliance with laws dealing with the illegal sale of our products, and has instituted measures to punish those who are determined to be in violation of the law," said Ronald S. Milstein, senior vice president, legal and external affairs for Lorillard.

"We believe that these measures will assist our active efforts to combat counterfeit product sales and will help us and our customers to comply with the laws and regulations intended to stop sales to and consumption of our products by youth."

The agreement applies in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.