"State Rep. Doug Cox isn’t happy with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation — as a lawmaker or as a physician.

The tribe filed a federal lawsuit in January regarding legislation that made changes to the state tax code. Senate Bill 608 seeks to crack down on tobacco bootleggers. Among other things, it stiffens the penalty for those who deal in cigarettes that don’t have proper tax stamps, and requires smokeshops to buy their tobacco from state-licensed wholesalers if the tribe doesn’t have a compact with the state. The Creeks don’t have a compact.

Cox, R-Grove, says Principal Chief A.D. Ellis "should be ashamed for pursuing policies that allow the Creek Nation to skirt the regulations of Senate Bill 608.” Smoking only exacerbates high blood pressure and diabetes, two conditions frequently seen among American Indians, Cox said. And inexpensive tribal cigarettes contribute to young people taking up the habit."

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Editorial: Doctor visit: Lawmaker takes aim at tribal lawsuit (The Oklahoman 2/8)