A group of AWMA distributor members, tobacco and stamping company representatives met in Washington, DC, May 16 prior to AWMA's Day on the Hill lobbying event to review issues surrounding stamping of cigarettes. AWMA President and CEO Scott Ramminger reviewed AWMA's position on digital stamping, which stresses that the adoption of such a requirement by states must be accompanied by increased enforcement and reimbursement for all resulting costs to distributors.

Michigan digital stamping legislation was reviewed. That measure would require open technology and compensation to distributors for new or upgraded equipment that would be required. Laws on the books in Massachusetts and California were also discussed, along with the need to combat counterfeit and black market cigarettes. Discussions will continue.