The Senate Judiciary Committee approved HR S 1147, the PACT Act. This is the Contraband Coalition-supported legislation to curb the illegal sale and smuggling of tobacco. The committee approved the legislation with a substitute amendment by voice vote.

The bill requires:

• Tobacco sellers to verify the age of buyers who purchase tobacco products online or over the phone.
• Sellers to keep delivery sales records.
• Sellers of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to include notices about excise tax requirements and would bar shipments of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco that weigh more than 10 pounds.
• Sellers that violate the new rules could face up to three years in prison or civil penalties of up to 2 percent of their gross sales from the year before the violation.

On to the full Senate – please consider sending the letters.

More Information:

• HR 4154 IH

• PACT Act Background

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