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

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.coalitiontostopcontrabandtobacco.com