By JAMES FINK
Business First

Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry Snyder Sr. called President Obama's signing of the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act a "deliberate betrayal" of all Native Americans.

Snyder has been a vocal critic of the PACT Act, saying it infringes on retail operations run by the Seneca Nation and other Indian tribes. The measure, which becomes law 90 days following Obama's signature on March 31, will prohibit tobacco businesses - including many run by Native Americans - from using the U.S. Postal Service to fill online orders.

The Seneca Nation says the law could result in significant layoffs among the 1,000 people who work for its tobacco operations. The Nation says revenues from tobacco sales help finance health and education programs it runs on its Allegany and Irving reservations.

Snyder said he is incensed because Obama last November, in a meeting with Native American leaders, said he would protect longstanding treaties.

"Now, four months later, he has betrayed that promise," Snyder said.

The PACT Act was overwhelmingly supported by both Congress and the Senate. Anti-smoking advocates say it will make it harder for people, especially teenagers, to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products.

"Internet sales of tobacco products are a serious and growing problem that keeps prices down and smoking levels up," said Russell Sciandra, tobacco policy specialist for the American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey. "Such sales make it easier and cheaper for kids to buy cigarettes, facilitate tax evasion and cost New York hundreds of millions in revenue every year."

Critics say the law was championed by major tobacco companies as a means to negatively impact competitors.

"This is certainly not the first time a U.S. president has failed to honor federal treaty rights, but it is particularly hurtful when this country's first minority president turns his back on another group of minority Americans," Snyder said. "It's a very personal pain and insult."

Snyder said he is equally annoyed that the state's two senators, Democrats Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, voted for the PACT legislation, as did Reps. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Chris Lee, R-Clarence. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport, did not cast a vote.

"Our elected officials have turned their collective backs on the Seneca Nation," Snyder said. "We will not forget how we were treated."

JC Seneca, Seneca Nation tribal councillor and co-chair of the Senecas' Foreign Relations Committee, said the Nation has 90 days before the postal delivery ban takes effect.

"We will be looking at ways to adapt and save as many jobs as possible," Seneca said.