Oklahoma drops tribal tobacco rule amid complaints

The state of Oklahoma has rescinded an emergency tobacco rule that drew complaints from tribes, state Treasurer Scott Meacham said at the Sovereignty Symposium on Wednesday.

The state imposed two rules after it said certain tribal retailers were violating the tobacco compact by selling cheap cigarettes. The Osage Nation and the Cherokee Nation went to court to challenge the rules.

The first was suspended after the Osage suit and the second one was withdrawn because it was "not a good idea," The Oklahoman reported. "It would have created other problems and more litigation,” he said.

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Tax Commission snuffs out tribal tobacco rules for now (The Oklahoman 5/31)
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