Steve Cohen: “Mr. Speaker, S. 1147, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009, or PACT Act, will allow law enforcement to…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 1147, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009, or PACT Act, will allow law enforcement to strengthen their efforts to combat illegal smuggling of tobacco products. Every year, tens of billions of cigarettes are illegally smuggled across State lines and across borders, cheating State and local governments out of much-needed tax revenues. In fact, tax evasion is the chief motivator for cigarette smuggling. Buying in a State where the cigarette tax is low and selling illegally in a State with a higher tax, the smuggler can sell at a discount and still turn a nice profit. Cigarette smuggling costs States $1 billion in uncollected tax revenue each year. The size of this illicit revenue stream has attracted organized crime and even terrorist groups. Because of the interstate scope of this criminal activity, as well as its sheer magnitude, States cannot adequately address it on their own. It has long been recognized as a Federal matter.”