Seneca Nation of Indians President Barry E. Snyder Sr. today issued the following
statement about Seneca brand cigarettes:
"The
story in Sunday's Buffalo News about the Seneca brand cigarettes is a matter of
grave concern to the Seneca Nation of Indians, even though the Nation has
nothing to do with their Ontario-based manufacture. The Nation will therefore
immediately begin a review of the allegations involving the brand and its
potential problems and gather that information as quickly as possible. It will
then consult with the Tribal Council and the Nation's Import-Export Commission -
a tribal agency that regulates all tobacco products under Nation jurisdiction -
on further action. The Nation has two of its own retail outlets on its
territories, but because there are 238 other registered independent retailers
there is a need for broad consultation and consensus.
"The Seneca Nation is committed to doing what is right for our people, businesses and customers. Therefore, we also plan to reach out to national health experts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute to understand more fully the challenges this situation poses to our people and their independent retail outlets.
"And let me reiterate what I said last week: The Seneca Nation has nothing to do with the manufacture, distribution or sale of Seneca brand cigarettes. The Nation has no more of a connection to them than Winston-Salem, N.C. does to cigarettes named Winston and Salem. These cigarettes are manufactured in Ontario, not on our territories. The Nation is in no way responsible for them or their contents."
Don't worry, everyone -- the Seneca Nation of Indians is on the case!
I hope they let us know the result of their consultation with the experts at Roswell Park on the dangers of selling tainted cigarettes. I'm on pins and needles not knowing whether they're good or bad . . .
Ontario is known for its fine tobacco.