Andrea Joy Campbell: “in 1997 this body considered wide- sweeping tobacco legislation and the Indian Affairs Committee held several hearings…”

“in 1997 this body considered wide- sweeping tobacco legislation and the Indian Affairs Committee held several hearings on the issue and in fact reported a bill to reduce smoking in Native communities. The rate of smoking in Native communities is the highest in the country and Natives suffer emphysema, lung cancer, and related problems as a result of that smoking. The resolution we are now considering would as a practical matter apply to smoke-shops that offer "discount tobacco" products without defining that term. There are "discount cigarette" stores right across the river in Virginia, there are "discount tobacco" outlets in airports around the country, and there are "discount stores" on Indian lands. Now, if this resolution were to apply to all tobacco outlets, I would support it. I am dismayed that Secretary Cuomo would support the amendment given that it would not affect Community Development Block Grant funds for non-Indian tobacco outlets. As a practical matter only Indian outlets are affected and there are no potential non-Indian tobacco sellers that would be affected. Though it may not be the preferred economic activity of some in this chamber, many Indian tribes rely on selling tobacco, which is a legal commodity, to generate revenues.”