Responding to a negative court ruling which will allow the sate of New York to collect tax on cigarettes sold to non-Native Americans, the Cayuga Nation released a press release today saying they would no longer sell cigarettes not made by the tribe. The Cayugas produce “Cayuga” brand cigarettes in eleven different brand styles. The release says, “Although we the Cayuga Nation views such action to be a clear violation of both its treaty rights and the U.S. Constitution, it appears we are without recourse to prevent the State from imposing these taxes.”
The Nation’s press release states unequivocally “As a sovereign nation, we refuse to pay taxes to the State of New York.” According to the release, Federal law prohibits the state from taxing tribally manufactured cigarettes.
