26 janvier 2009
Plans to collect taxes on cigarettes
The state will not act to stop shipments of cheap cigarettes online to Seneca retailers, regardless of court rulings, until a period of communication with the Seneca Nation of Indians is complete; Seneca President Barry E. Snyder Sr. said he has been told by the governor’s office.
During a rally Sunday just south of the Route 438 Thruway overpass, Snyder read a letter from Gov. David A. Paterson in which the governor indicated his desire to begin talks with the Indian nation about the dispute over tax collection on cigarettes sold by Native American merchants to non-Indians.
More than 150 people attended the rally, which lasted from late morning until late afternoon. Participants held signs whose messages included “Honor Treaties” and “No NYS Taxes.” Passing drivers frequently honked their horns in support of the demonstrators.
“One of the things he won’t put in the letter, but as he’s related to us,” Snyder told the crowd, “. . . even though the court cases might not go in favor of Scott Maybee [a Seneca tobacco merchant] or for us, the continuation of deliveries will continue until we have finished our dialogue.”
In December, Paterson signed a law that authorizes the state to require wholesalers — under penalty of perjury — to provide certification to the state tax department that they have not sold tax-free cigarettes to any retailer.
Earlier this month, Snyder announced the Seneca Nation’s plans to find a way to collect its own tolls from motorists driving through Seneca land along the Thruway.
23 janvier 2009
Egypt's Eastern Tobacco
Egyptian discount cigarettes
monopoly Eastern Company made a net profit of 404.6 million Egyptian pounds (72.9 million) in the first half of the fiscal year, 9.5 percent higher than the same period a year before, the firm said in a statement.
Eastern Tobacco said the results were unedited, but gave no further details on performance.
Shares in Eastern Tobacco last traded 1.04 percent down at 180 pounds. ($1 = 5.5506 Egyptian pounds)