I know a lot of you hate smoking, but this is just wrong!

[napi21]

Time To Remind Them, They Work For YOU!...

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 ("PACT Act") (S.1147) is scheduled for consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, November 5th. This legislation contains, among other bad ideas, a provision which would make ALL cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products nonmailable. This bill has already been passed by the House, and if approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, could be sent to the full Senate floor for a vote at any time!
By making all cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products nonmailable, this law means you will no longer be able to purchase these products by mail-order, telephone order, or on the Internet, because the United States Postal Service, along with UPS, Fed-Ex and all other carriers will be prohibited by law from delivering your orders to you. Taking away your options means forcing you back to buying over-priced tobacco products from your local retailer. Let your Senators know that you don't want this!
If you wish to preserve your rights and freedoms, you have to make your opinion known and your voice heard. Contact your Senators today and tell them to vote NO on S.1147, the "PACT Act"!

I have no children in the house and never smoke around any visitor who objects, but I'm 66 yo and can't dribe anymore so I buy my cigarettes via the internet. I also pay thhe local tax on them since I get a bill in the mail fron the Ga. revenue dept. I't just wrong that they prevent me from doing that!

Help me out here and contact your senator to vote NO!

[robinlynne]

1. mother fuckers. we already pay for childrens' health care with the hugh taxes.

[napi21]

2. That's actually another point. How hard are they going to cry if they ultimately make cigarettes

illlegal? All those BIG taxes are gone, the children;s health care is GONE! I just want to kick someone in the ..............

[robinlynne]

4. They want MORE taxes. I buy my tobacco form out of state. I pay all those regular taxes, but

not the sales tax. I think that is the reason. more local sales tax this way....

[Libertas1776]

3. Are they for REAL?

This is the Senate's priority, preventing some senior citizen from buying her smokes? Not the deficit driving broken health care system and the wars in "Iraqastan."

[obliviously]

5. Relax the bankers are sleeping soundly tonight without

a worry in the world because your money helped bail them out.

[Libertas1776]

7. Whew

ya know, I was worried there for a second

[napi21]

6. I don't even know which Sens are backing this bill. Not sure

how to find out either. I can't call all 100! I already wrote to my two Sens...both Pub idiots! All I get is "we will keep your opinion in mind when we vote. What the hell does THAT mean?

[appleannie1]

9. Here you go

S.1147
Title: A bill to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kohl, Herb (introduced 5/21/2009) Cosponsors (9)
Related Bills: H.R.1676
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled consideration. SD-226. 10:00 a.m.


COSPONSORS(9), ALPHABETICAL : (Sort: by date)

Sen Feinstein, Dianne - 10/15/2009 Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. - 6/3/2009
Sen Kerry, John F. - 10/27/2009 Sen Klobuchar, Amy - 10/28/2009
Sen Leahy, Patrick J. - 5/21/2009 Sen Pryor, Mark L. - 6/8/2009
Sen Schumer, Charles E. - 6/3/2009 Sen Specter, Arlen - 9/29/2009
Sen Warner, Mark R. - 6/8/2009


Whenever you want that kind of information, look it up on Thomas.

http://thomas.loc.gov/

[truedelphi]

11. But the second hand smoke is proven to be bad for you

Whereas it has not yet been proven that the rotten economy will not (Phoenix like) rise from the grave.

So the kids going to bed hungry tonight just might get to eat next year. ANd their folks might have jobs next year.

But cigarettes will always be bad bad bad.

[wroberts189]

8. Doesn't this violate interstate commerce trade law? ...

Wish I had some law school.

[eridani]

10. Agreed. I hate cigarettes, and this is wrong. n/t

[blueworld]

12. Ah priorities - what about guns & liquor?

You can buy guns & wine via mail & internet, but not smokes? Mark Warner made his fortune in a tobacco state - it figures. Gotta get that money from the little people so we can give more to the corporations! I'll try to contact my Senators - thanks for posting - but I anticipate the same crap I usually get: we can't help you but here's our stellar resumes about what we've accomplished for lobbyists & please donate to our future campaigns.

[invictus]

13. It's sounds like a good law. I'm tired of cigarette smoke being blown in my face ...

... from disgusting asshole smokers. Any law which makes it harder for smokers to have access to tobacco products is a good law. Smokers need to seriously consider other options for their nicotine addiction such as nicorette and stop harming other people's health with their disgusting habit.

[kiva]

15. From someone who has quit smoking -

get over the idea that you are so special and fragile that you will curl up and die at a whiff of smoke. If this is how you relate to people in the real world, it's no wonder that people blow smoke in your face - and what does "stop poising other people's health" mean?

[invictus]

19. So you condone smokers blowing smoke into the faces of non-smokers.

You are a good example of a smoker. Thanks for helping my cause with your comment.

[The Straight Story]

21. I support allow people who don't smoke to not be forced to go places where people do smoke

don't want to be around smokers in a bar - don't go. WHO is forcing you to go into such a place?

Seems like you are the one trying to force removal of freedom of choice on people.

nanny stater.

[PVnRT]

16. Do you feel the same about all drug addicts?

Maybe if sanctimonious assholes such as yourself would be willing to pony up for quit-smoking aids, more people would quit.

[invictus]

20. I prefer that my neighborhood not turn into a crack-ridden rat hole. So yes, I do support ...

... banning public drug use.

[varelse]

14. Why not read the bill before you (over)react?

Or maybe at least read the summary at govtrack.us?

5/21/2009--Introduced.
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 (with specified exceptions, including for mailings for consumer testing); 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. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the precedential effect of this Act.

[napi21]

17. OK, I read youir post. What do you think I'm wrong about?

(1) treat cigarettes and smokeless tobacco as nonmailable and prohibit such items from being deposited in or carried through the U.S. mails (with specified exceptions, including for mailings for consumer testing);

That sounds pretty clear to me!

[varelse]

22. It's just the US postal service - the commercial carriers aren't banned from shipping tobacco

Here's a statement from the sponsor:

http://kohl.senate.gov/newsroom/pressrelease.cfm?custom...

A summary of what the bill is intended to accomplish:

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act will:

· Strengthen the reporting requirements for interstate cigarette sellers.

· Increase the criminal penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony and create a substantial civil penalty for violations, including violations of the reporting requirements and state tobacco tax laws.

· Grant federal and state law enforcement officials more powers to investigate and prosecute violators.

· Prohibit the United States Postal Service from delivering tobacco products

And who is against it, along with a suggested motive for opposition:

Today the House of Representatives passed companion legislation by an overwhelming majority, 397 to 11, and the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Kohl’s PACT Act in May, 2007. But previous efforts to pass the bill in the full Senate have been blocked by a small number of Republican Senators on behalf of special interests, such as tobacco companies and large delivery services. Kohl has worked closely with the common carriers, including UPS, to ensure that the PACT Act does not place any unreasonable burdens on those businesses

[Le Taz Hot]

18. Outrageous cigarette prices

are what just made my best friend, who smoked for 48 years, quit. She's on an EXTREMELY limited income and figured cigs were taking 30% of her income. I smoked for 35 years and you can't run away from the reality that the only way to fight this tax is to quit smoking. The good new is that you'll get LOTS of support here on DU should you make that decision.

[Owl]

23. Quit smoking.