Jump to full article: Jamestown (NY) Post-Journal, 2008-05-02
Author: Sharon Turano
Intro: Representative Anthony D. Weiner, D-Brooklyn, a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, authored legislation to make cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products non-mailable matter. The legislation was reviewed by the subcommittee Wednesday.
''Black market sales of tobacco via the Internet, the money form which has a history of being funneled to terrorist groups, will soon become a thing of the past when cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products become non-mailable,'' said a news release from Weiner's office.
Numerous Seneca entrepreneurs conduct business via the mail and Internet, selling cigarettes tax-free.
''The tobacco products that are sold from Seneca Nation businesses must not be confused with 'black market cigarettes,''' said Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John Sr.
''The Nation will not abide by attempts on any front to criminalize our businesses or economy,'' he said.
The Seneca Nation has established the Import-Export Law, which regulates the cigarette trade in Seneca territories, he said. He said the Nation works ''hand in glove'' with ATF, and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to prevent cigarettes from ever reaching the black market.
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