Jump to full article: AP, 2009-05-21
Intro: The House on Thursday approved tougher enforcement measures against contraband cigarette sales that make money for criminals, but cost federal, state and local governments billions of dollars.
The bill, which passed 397-11, is especially aimed at Internet sales. Sellers on the Internet and others shipping to remote locations would have to verify the purchaser's age and identity through accessible databases.
Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products could no longer be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service except in limited cases. Private delivery companies already have agreed not to ship tobacco products while the Postal Service continues to deliver products purchased over the Internet.
Misdemeanors under current law would be made felonies, and it would be a federal offense for any seller failing to pay state tax laws. . . .
Weiner cited a Government Accountability Office report that organizations including Hezbollah made money through the tobacco black market.
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