In a 5-3 majority formed by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the US Supreme Court ruled January 25th that New York City cannot use the US Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act – otherwise known as the RICO Statute - in indicting an Internet retailer of mail and wire fraud for failing to file tax information on city residents who bought tobacco products online.

AWMA has been promoting the passage of S. 1147 – the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act – that would go after these illegal Internet sellers of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.  This legislation has already passed the House and was recently approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.  AWMA is working to push the full Senate to consider this bill soon and has been spearheading a coalition dedicated to this effort.  More information on this important issue can be found at www.coalitiontostopcontrabandtobacco.com.