Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco Applauds House for Passage of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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."

A broad coalition of more than 180 groups, individuals and other stakeholders worked with House and Senate leaders through the years to pass the PACT Act. The PACT Act closes gaps in current federal laws regulating Internet and other remote sales of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

"This bill is a win for law enforcement, retailers, state tax advocates and public health groups," continued Ramminger.

"We hope that President Obama will act swiftly to sign this common sense legislation into law so that we can put an end to the illegal sale of tobacco products," concluded Ramminger.

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.

SOURCE Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco

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