Senecas ask Obama to veto cigarette mail ban

IRVING, N.Y. (AP) – The Seneca Indian Nation has written to President Barack Obama, asking him to veto a bill that would prohibit cigarette shipments through the mail.

The western New York tribe dominates the Internet cigarette market and depends on the post office for shipping.

In his letter, Seneca President Barry Snyder wrote that the mailing ban would kill 3,000 tobacco-related jobs in New York and subject tribal members to racial profiling when they mail packages.

Supporters of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking – or PACT – Act say cheap mail-order cigarettes are too often ordered by teenagers and make it easy for smokers to avoid state taxes.

Following the Senate’s lead, Congress approved the measure Wednesday, sending it to the president’s desk.