Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco Applauds Senate Judiciary Committee for Passage of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009
Urges immediate passage by the full Senate
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – 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