http://www.tobacco.org/newsfeed/category/tribes.rss Latest top tobacco news headlines en-us http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/3478821/Grilling-due-over-cheap-cigarettes http://tobacco.org/news/298867.html A Christchurch company selling cheap high-nicotine cigarettes faces a grilling before a Government select committee on smoking. Maori MP Hone Harawira said he would be asking the NZ Tobacco Group to appear before a Maori Affairs select committee hearing on the tobacco industry in Christchurch in about six weeks. The business, based in Papanui offices, distributes two cigarette brands, Ashford and Easy, said to be big sellers in low socio-economic areas. The Press found 20-cigarette Easy packs being sold in Christchurch stores for as little as $7.70, and about $9 for the Ashford brand. All convenience stores contacted by The Press stocked at least one of the brands. The average cost of a Dunhill or Benson & Hedges pack is about $12. Figures show the nicotine content of Ashford Full Flavour is 1.25 milligrams compared with 0.9mg for Benson & Hedges Classic and 0.8mg for Dunhill Premier. . . . The Easy packaging says the cigarettes are made in Luxembourg, under the authority of Easy Singapore for Richland Express, a discount cigarette company in Sydney. Harawira said the company had not been "on his radar" before he was contacted by The Press. "I'm bloody horrified, but not surprised at their tactics," Independent Newspapers Ltd. / STUFF newstips@stuff.co.nz (REBECCA TODD - The Press) New Zealand Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seneca-nation-president-calls-on-president-obama-to-defend-native-american-sovereign-rights-with-veto-of-pact-act-legislation-88504062.html http://tobacco.org/news/298851.html Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. today sent a letter to President Barack Obama calling for his veto of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act. In urging the veto, Snyder said the measure "flies in the face" of key Obama administration goals to improve health care, create jobs and respect tribal sovereignty. "If signed into law, the PACT Act will seriously impact the Seneca Nation and the Seneca people. We will be subject to racial profiling for the simple act of mailing a package. We will lose thousands of jobs and important health care support. And most damaging, we will be set back in our journey to self-determination by the very treaty partner that pledged to support and protect us," Snyder wrote. Snyder's letter comes a day after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the PACT Act . . . "It is most disturbing this legislation was developed without any meaningful consultations with Indian nations," Snyder wrote. "Your 'Tribal Consultation Executive Order' indicates that you intend to be committed to regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in policy decisions that have tribal implications. When I heard you say this at the meeting of tribal leaders in November, I took your word that you would follow through." Snyder also noted the National Congress of American Indians and United south & Eastern Tribes, both oppose the PACT Act and stand in support of the Seneca Nation, which has taken the lead in fighting the legislation. PR Newswire slinstedt@traverscollins.com ( SOURCE Seneca Nation ) Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/free tobacco health concern/2695595/story.html http://tobacco.org/news/298812.html The proliferation of tax-free tobacco products on reserves will be addressed in next week's provincial budget, Premier Brad Wall said in a speech Wednesday. In his "state of the province" address to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce at TCU Place, Wall said the province needs to take some steps to reduce tobacco use and cited a report saying one of the biggest obstacles to that has been the lack of taxation on tobacco products sold on First Nations. "Smoking remains one of the most harmful and costly health issues. The financial cost is great; the human cost is greater," said Wall. "And the problem continues to be greatest among our First Nations people." Wall referred to Statistics Canada surveys from 2007-08 that showed the rate of smoking to be twice as high among the aboriginal population (45.3 per cent) in Saskatchewan compared to the non-aboriginal population (23.3 per cent). . . . "Together in partnership with First Nations, maybe the objective should be we don't have tax-free tobacco," he said. "That would have to be a decision First Nations are a part of, because it's a treaty right." Saskatoon Star Phoenix hscissons@sp.canwest.com (Hannah Scissons, The StarPhoenix) Canada Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.thestarphoenix.com/health/free+tobacco+health+concern/2695595/story.html http://tobacco.org/news/298766.html The proliferation of tax-free tobacco products on reserves will be addressed in next week's provincial budget, Premier Brad Wall said in a speech Wednesday. In his "state of the province" address to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce at TCU Place, Wall said the province needs to take some steps to reduce tobacco use and cited a report saying one of the biggest obstacles to that has been the lack of taxation on tobacco products sold on First Nations. "Smoking remains one of the most harmful and costly health issues. The financial cost is great; the human cost is greater," said Wall. "And the problem continues to be greatest among our First Nations people." Saskatoon Star Phoenix hscissons@sp.canwest.com (Hannah Scissons, The StarPhoenix) Canada Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seneca-nation-of-indians-calls-house-approval-of-pact-act-a-sucker-punch-to-treaty-rights-88273627.html http://tobacco.org/news/298722.html The Seneca Nation of Indians today denounced the U.S. House of Representatives approval of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act as a blatant attack on Native American Treaty Rights. If signed into law by President Obama, the PACT Act will bar Native American tobacco businesses from using the U.S. Postal Service for shipment of their products. Loss of that critical distribution channel will cripple the Seneca tobacco industry and result in the loss of more than 1,000 native and non-native jobs. "This is a sucker punch to our federal treaty rights," said Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. "This is a direct assault on our economy and our people. And it will have a devastating ripple effect on the Western New York economy." Snyder said it is now up to President Obama to "do the right thing" and veto the PACT Act when it reaches his desk. PR Newswire sasquith@traverscollins.com ( SOURCE The Seneca Nation of Indians ) Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.1010wins.com/NY-Tribe-Says-Cigarette-Mailing-Ban-Threatens-Jobs/6598220 http://tobacco.org/news/298687.html A vote by Congress to keep cigarettes out of the mail was a "sucker punch" to treaty rights, the president of the New York tribe that dominates the now-threatened mail-order market said Wednesday. The House passed the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking, or PACT, Act with a 387-25 vote less than a week after the U.S. Senate approved it by unanimous consent. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Supporters say it will make it harder for kids to light up and stop smokers from dodging state taxes. But Indian leaders see it as an attempt by the government to gain control over tribes and their economies. "This is a sucker punch to our federal treaty rights," Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. said. "This is a direct assault on our economy and our people. And it will have a devastating ripple effect on the Western New York economy." 1010 WINS Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/03/17/990680/house-vote-sends-cigarette-mailing.html http://tobacco.org/news/298664.html WASHINGTON -- Congress on Wednesday sent President Obama a bill that bans the mailing of cigarettes, a measure that would bring the full weight of the federal government down on the Seneca Nation's huge tax-free tobacco trade that New York State has been fighting for years. The House, in a 387-25 vote, sent Obama a measure the Senate had approved six days earlier. The president is expected to sign it shortly, and it would take effect 90 days later. "This new law will give states and localities a major revenue boost by cracking down on the illegal sale of tobacco," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Queens, the bill's chief sponsor. "Every day we delay is another day that New York loses significant amounts of tax revenue and kids have easy access to tobacco products sold over the Internet." The Senecas said they would do whatever they could to prevent the law from devastating the nation's tobacco entrepreneurs and the 1,000 or more people who work for them. Buffalo News jzremski@buffnews.com (Jerry Zremski News Washington Bureau Chief) Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coalition-to-stop-contraband-tobacco-applauds-house-for-passage-of-the-prevent-all-cigarette-trafficking-act-of-2009-88264807.html http://tobacco.org/news/298663.html The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing S. 1147, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009. Sponsored in the House by Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), this legislation will help combat online cigarette sales that have robbed hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues from the states and that undermine state laws that prevent youth access to tobacco products. The PACT Act will now go to President Obama's desk for his signature. "In passing the PACT Act, Congress has made a definitive statement about its commitment to help eliminate underage access to tobacco on the Internet, curtail associated illegal activities and capture lost state excise tax revenues," said Scott Ramminger, AWMA president and CEO and coalition spokesperson. "We applaud the House of Representatives for its action today and thank Congressman Weiner for his leadership in combating contraband tobacco sales." PR Newswire Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ihRBqQOSdKR-8ub7K-SOVcRlo8JwD9EGK3P00 http://tobacco.org/news/298662.html Congress has moved to stamp out a multibillion-dollar tobacco trafficking industry that has enriched criminals and terrorists and made it easier for kids to buy cigarettes online. A bill cracking down on smugglers cleared the House Wednesday and went to President Barack Obama for his signature. The measure could restore significant amounts of revenue lost to states because cigarette taxes are not being paid. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., said New York alone loses as much as $1 billion a year from cigarette tax evasion. Weiner sponsored the measure with Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas. The legislation, approved on a 387-25 vote, would prohibit cigarette shipments through the U.S. Postal Service, cutting off the main source of transport for Internet vendors selling contraband tobacco products. UPS, DHL and FedEx already have agreements with the New York Attorney General not to ship cigarettes nationwide. AP Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123278309/abstract http://tobacco.org/news/298641.html Objective: To evaluate a Northern Territory (NT) government-led pilot 'Tobacco Project' in six remote communities. . . . Conclusions: Despite the minimal impact of this Project on tobacco consumption overall, there was a consistent association between on-the-ground tobacco control activity and reductions in tobacco consumption. Wiley InterScience david.thomas@menzies.edu.au ( David Thomas 1 , Vanessa Johnston 1 and Joseph Fitz 1) Australia Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages/ND0317103.aspx http://tobacco.org/news/298629.html State looks to capture up to $700,000 in uncollected funds; meanwhile New York considers enforcing a 2008 law that would require collecting taxes on the sale of cigarettes by Native Americans to non-Indians. National Association of Convenience Stores nacspoll@nacsonline.com (RSS Feed) Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20100317_Ban_tobacco_from_the_mail.html http://tobacco.org/news/298627.html Smokers who buy tax-free cigarettes on the Internet have been put on notice that the government knows who they are. They also should realize that their purchase of contraband cigarettes appears headed for a permanent roadblock and should get ready to end their soon-to-be expensive habit. A 1949 federal law called the Jenkins Act requires that any person who sells and ships cigarettes across a state line to a buyer other than a licensed distributor must report the sale . . . Indian tribes, which have built a lucrative industry by selling tax-free cigarettes, are asking Obama to send it back to Congress for an amendment exempting Indian tribes, but that would defy present law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1991 that the doctrine of sovereign immunity of Indian tribes allows a state "to collect taxes on sales to nontribal members," although a state may not impose taxes on cigarettes sold to tribal members on tribal lands. Smokers have been desperate in recent years to avoid high tobacco taxes in states such as Hawaii. Passage of the bill eliminating the Postal Service as the shipper should eliminate cigarettes made cheap through the Internet. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10631828 http://tobacco.org/news/298608.html Harawira, who said last September, that he'd "like to lynch these bastards ... who kill New Zealanders", didn't go as far as slinging a rope over the rafters of the committee room, but he did apply the metaphorical blowtorch to the general manager of British American Tobacco New Zealand, Graeme Amey. He read out a comment, plausibly attributed to a tobacco executive, that tobacco companies targeted "the young, the poor, the black and the stupid" and asked: "Is that a philosophy your company follows?" Amey's disavowal sounded as lame as his recitation in answer to further questions that BAT (which in 2008 contributed $1.7 billion to its parent company's global revenue of $70 billion) sells a legal product and operates within the law. This kind of ritualised utterance has moved beyond the implausible to become nauseating. Representatives of companies that get rich selling a product which, used as directed, causes direct and irreparable physical harm, should at least have the decency to admit as much. Harawira, who represents a population disproportionately blighted by tobacco, is engaged in a righteous campaign to rid the world of a pestilential weed. The evasive Amey and his ilk should watch out. New Zealand Herald New Zealand Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/northeast/87793387.html http://tobacco.org/news/298570.html Handing big tobacco corporations a huge victory, the U.S. Senate has passed the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act - an act tribal leaders say is an attack on tribal sovereignty and economies that will devastate Indian tobacco businesses across the country. The PACT Act passed by unanimous consent without a vote or a hearing late the evening of March 11. The act bans the shipment of cigarettes and certain tobacco products through the U.S. Postal Service, cutting off the only remaining delivery service for Indian retailers who do business through Internet sales. A few years ago, former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was ousted in a prostitution scandal, "persuaded" private carriers such as Federal Express and UPS to "voluntarily" stop shipping tobacco products. . . . The bill will now move back to the House for a vote, before being sent to President Barack Obama for passage. Tribal leaders are calling on Obama to send the bill back to Congress for an amendment that explicitly exempts sovereign Indian nations from the act. The PACT Act passed without a single Senator objecting, said Lance Morgan (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska), CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc. and partner at Fredericks, Peebles & Morgan. "So it comes down to Obama. He is an adopted Crow and he says all the right things, but this is real and not the campaign trail. Indian Country Today Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/511825.html?nav=5008 http://tobacco.org/news/298543.html ELIZABETHTOWN - The Essex County Board of Supervisors thinks collecting taxes on sales of cigarettes on American Indian reservations could be part of the answer to the state's fiscal problems. "I'm hopeful the state of New York will pursue collection," Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said at a brief press conference in front of the Old County Courthouse Monday, after that morning's committee meetings. Scozzafava said many of the proposals in the state budget, most notably the proposed closure of Moriah Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility, would have "a severe economic impact on the residents of the county, and my constituency in Moriah." Given that possibility, Newcomb Supervisor George Canon said he thought it was "unconscionable" for the state not to "plug this leak in the dam." Adirondack Daily Enterprise Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT