House Bill Threatens Indian Tobacco Industry

Source from:  news.newamericamedia.org Sep 26, 2008 WASHINGTON, D.C. 09/28/2008

A bill recently passed by the House of Representatives will end the Native American mail order tobacco businesses, putting thousands out of work, reports Indian Country Today. The bill, yet to go to the Senate, will prohibit the postal service from delivering cigarettes. Native Americans own 95 to 98 percent of the mail order tobacco businesses. The government wants to recover billions of lost tax revenue each year and block terrorist organizations from profiting from sales of cigarette tax stamps. Native Americans say there is not evidence that terrorists benefit from cigarette sales. Enditem