Senecas seek Obama veto of cigarette shipment ban

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Representatives of the Seneca Nation of Indians say they're not giving up on their effort to stop a controversial new law from taking effect.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to ban the post office from shipping cigarettes, a move that threatens the Seneca Nation's lucrative Internet business. Seneca leaders had lobbied hard against the legislation, saying it will kill legal Native American commerce and take 1,000 tobacco-industry jobs in New York with it.

But Tribal Councilor J.C. Seneca says they will now concentrate on convincing President Obama to veto the bill.

Supporters of the bill say it will make it harder for kids to light up and stop smokers from dodging state taxes.