Editorial: Cherokee Nation reaches improved tobacco compact

The Cherokee Nation tribal council has approved a new 10-year tobacco compact with the state. The agreement with the tribe is the latest in a series of compacts that will be easier to police and could result in more revenue for the state.

The previous system seemed to invite cheating because tobacco tax stamps were sold at various prices to various tribal retailers depending on compact terms and location.

The new agreements mean that eventually there will be only one tax stamp amount in the state — $1.03 per pack. That will be tax stamp rate at smoke shops, tribe stores and at nontribal retailers.