"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 (AWMA), a member of the coalition. "The overwhelming bipartisan vote in the [image-nocss] 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 (NACS).
S. 1147 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by voice vote yesterday.
"The Coalition to Stop Contraband Tobacco is hopeful that the full Senate will act swiftly to promote passage of this landmark legislation," Ramminger added.
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.
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