NASHVILLE - Legislation that seeks to require roll-your-own tobacco retailers to pay a licensing fee and tax passed the Tennessee Senate last week.

Under the measure, retailers would be required to pay a cigarette tax and an annual $500 licensing fee for each roll-your-own machine used. Businesses would have until July 1, 2013, to comply.

Meanwhile, the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is throwing its support behind NACS-supported legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 4134.

"While AIF supports entrepreneurial spirit, the business model for roll-your-own manufacturing has created an unfair advantage as such operators evade state and federal rules regarding the taxation, distribution and other product regulations that apply to traditional cigarettes," said Tom Feeney, AIF president. "We urge all Floridians and Florida??s congressional delegation to support HR 4134 to protect the state??s hard-working retailers and the people they employ. The passage of this important legislation will help Florida and the rest of the country resolve this economically damaging situation and allow retail businesses nationwide that follow the rules to continue to grow and thrive."