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The Seneca Nation of Indians today blasted the United States Senate for its passage of the PACT Act, a measure that will substantially limit distribution of tobacco products produced and sold by Native American businesses.

The PACT Act which was approved by the Senate Thursday night, will destroy more than 1,000 native and non-native tobacco industry jobs here in Western New York, according to Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr.

"The PACT Act is being portrayed as a tool to fight cigarette smuggling. In reality, it is about big tobacco protecting market share. This action will result in the death of legitimate, treaty-sanctioned Native American commerce, causing significant economic harm, President Snyder said.

"We will not back down. We will pursue an aggressive campaign of outreach and education to inform the voters of Western New York which political leaders stand with the Seneca Nation and those who don't."

The Seneca Nation maintains the measure, which has attracted strong support and lobbying efforts from mainstream tobacco corporations, led by Philip Morris, said it is an overt attempt by big cigarette corporations to simply stomp out any market competition.

"What we're witnessing is an effort by Philip Morris and other global tobacco companies to wipe out competition anyway they can. In this case, at the expense of our economy and our federal treaty rights," Snyder said.

"Not one Senator stood up for Indian Country; they should be ashamed of themselves for selling out our rights and local jobs."

The Nation's Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) has focused considerable attention on defeating the PACT Act. Nation Council Chairman Richard E. Nephew, co-chair of the committee, noted that tobacco is a legal product and the Seneca Nation regulates and monitors the manufacture and sale of tobacco products consistent with federal treaty rights.

"Western New Yorkers should be urging Congress, especially our local Representatives Brian Higgins, Louise Slaughter and Chris Lee, not to allow Philip Morris to take jobs and money away from the Seneca Nation and the regional economy. What hurts the Seneca, hurts Western New York, Councilor Nephew said.