The Seneca Nation says the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act will destroy the economy in Western New York and is urging residents to lobby Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York).

Schumer and Gillibrand are cosponsors of the bill. It prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from delivering cigarettes and certain tobacco products, effectively killing the tribal tobacco industry.

“The PACT Act is being portrayed as a tool to fight cigarette smuggling. In reality, it will kill legitimate, treaty-sanctioned Native American commerce, causing significant economic harm,” Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder told Indian Country Today.

The House passed H.R.1676 by a 397-11 vote last May. The Senate is due to consider S.1147 in the coming weeks.

Gov. David Paterson (D) supports the bill. He has said he wants to negotiate tobacco agreements with tribes but no progress has occurred.

Get the Story:
Seneca Nation leaders call for defeat of PACT Act (Indian Country Today 1/12)
Senecas confront tobacco roadblock (The Buffalo News 1/11)
Governor floats idea of cigarette tax increase (The Buffalo News 1/11)