| Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee for Passage of the Prevent |
|
|
|
| Posted by Editor | |
|
The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco today applauded the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for its passage of S. 1147, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009. The PACT Act will close the gaps in current federal law and will help combat the illegal sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products. "We are gratified by the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote today approving S. 1147, the PACT Act," said Scott Ramminger, president of the American Wholesale Marketers Association, a member of the coalition. "The overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House, the diverse groups supporting this legislation and now the Senate Judiciary Committee's action speak clearly of the need for this important legislation." Internet and other "remote" sales of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products have significant adverse consequences by undercutting state laws that prevent youth access to tobacco. Additionally these sales circumvent applicable state taxes and states lose substantial tax revenues. "Hopefully the planets have finally aligned to allow the full Senate to pass this common-sense and much needed legislation," said Lyle Beckwith, senior vice president for government relations at the National Association of Convenience Stores. S. 1147 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by voice vote earlier today. "The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco is hopeful that the full Senate will act swiftly to promote passage of this landmark legislation," Ramminger concluded. The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco is a group of individuals, associations, businesses and other organizations that share the goal of enacting legislation that will eliminate underage access to tobacco on the Internet, curtail associated illegal activities and capture lost state excise tax revenues. For more information, visit www.coalitiontostopcontrabandtobacco.com. Members of the coalition include: Alabama Grocers Association Alabama Wholesale Distributors Association Altria Client Services Inc. American Beverage Licensees American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance-AHGA American Wholesale Marketers Association-AWMA Asian American Retailers Association Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers Associated Industries of Florida Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, CA Association of Retail Tobacco Stores of New Jersey Bowling Proprietors Association of Minnesota Brookshire Brothers, Ltd. California Distributors Association California Licensed Beverage Association Colorado Association of Distributors Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas-CLEAT Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey Deputy Sheriff's Association of Alameda County, CA Florida Association of Wholesale Distributors Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Food Marketing Institute Illinois Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and Peace Officers Iowa Wholesale Distributors Association Kentucky Association of Manufacturers Kentucky Grocers Association and Kentucky Association of Convenience Stores Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association Kentucky Tobacco and Candy Association Korean American Grocers Association of Oregon Michigan Distributors and Vendors Association Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association Minnesota Wholesale Marketers Association Missouri Wholesale Distributors Association National Association of Convenience Stores-NACS National Association of Tobacco Outlets-NATO National Association of Truck Stop Operators-NATSO National Black Chamber of Commerce National Black Police Association National Grocers Association Nebraska Association of Tobacco and Candy Distributors Neighborhood Market Association New Jersey Beef Industry Council New Jersey Business and Industry Association New Jersey Food Council New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association New Jersey Sheriff's Association New Jersey Wholesale Marketers Association North Carolina Wholesalers Association Ohio Wholesale Marketers Association Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Oklahoma Wholesale Marketers Association Oregon Neighborhood Store Association Pennsylvania Distributors Association Petroleum Marketers Association of America-PMAA School House Strategies Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America-SIGMA Tavern League of Minnesota Texas Association of Business Texas Grocery and Convenience Association Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Texas Retailers Association The Latino Coalition Virginia Chamber of Commerce Virginia Manufacturers Association Virginia Wholesalers and Distributors Association Wisconsin Association of Distributors Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Source: Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco |
