Cigar Weekly

Politics, never discuss religion and politics as it only leads to rancor and conflict. But policies enacted by politicians affect the lives of everyone within the polity. There’s much to be said in favor and disfavor of any number of policies, philosophies that guide policies and policy-making. For those who use and enjoy tobacco products, that time is quickly passing away. The U. S. House of Representatives has just passed the PACT (cigarette trafficking) Act “To prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] (introduced 3/23/2009)”

 

 

Those of us who enjoy tobacco for its own sake, for the gustatory and epicurean delights need to be aware. While this does not yet apply to cigars, it’s not impossible to imagine this being expanded, that’s what government and politicians do. On May 21, 2009 the United States House of Representatives passed : “Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 or PACT Act”

 

This piece of legislation and its implications will be quite profound. It will severely limit the availability of tobacco in the form of cigarettes and smokeless; it gives the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms more responsibility and control over tobacco commerce.  It will require parcel companies to verify age and identity upon delivery. The Attorney General will have to keep a list of all tobacco vendors, and creates a “Tobacco Intelligence Center” to keep track of all tobacco “crime.”

 

 From the Library of Congress, the bill’s description is as follows:

 

Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 or PACT Act - Amends the Jenkins Act to: (1) include smokeless tobacco as a regulated substance; (2) impose shipping and recordkeeping requirements on delivery sellers (sellers using the telephone, mails, or the Internet) of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco; (3) require common carriers of cigarette products to obtain age and identity verification upon delivery of such products; (4) require the Attorney General to compile and publish a list of delivery sellers of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco who have not complied with the registration or other requirements of such Act; (5) increase criminal penalties and impose new civil penalties for violations of this Act; and (6) grant jurisdiction to U.S. district courts to prevent and restrain violations of this Act and direct the Attorney General to administer and enforce this Act.

Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) treat cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as nonmailable and prohibit such items from being deposited in or carried through the U.S. mails; and (2) authorize officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to enter the premises of certain cigarette shippers to inspect records and inventories.

Prohibits a tobacco product manufacturer or importer from selling or delivering in states cigarettes not in compliance with model or qualifying state statutes.

Limits the applicability of this Act with respect to Indian tribes and certain tribal matters.

Directs the ATF Director to create regional contraband tobacco trafficking teams and a Tobacco Intelligence Center to monitor and coordinate tobacco diversion investigations.

 

This legislation was first introduced on March 23, 2009 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It was heard by the committee on April 20^th, 2009, then considered and offered for mark-up by the committee on the 28^th, and ordered to be reported (amended) by voice vote the same day. It was placed on the Union Calendar on May 18^th, 2009. It was passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 11 (Roll no. 287).  It now proceeds to the Senate for approval.  Please contact your Senators and inform them of your opinions on the matter.  Cigars may be next.

 

Originally sponsored by Representative Anthony Weiner of New York, the co-sponsors of the bill are Representative Lamar Smith of Texas who signed on April 1, 2009, followed by Rep. Steve Cohen on April 21^st and Rep. Darrell Issa of California on April 28^th.

 

Read the complete description from the Library of Congress.