Washington Report: Webinar on Tobacco Answers More Questions Before June 22nd Deadline

Also, retailers participate in a swipe fee rally on Capitol Hill with Rep. Peter Welch (I-VT).

June 18, 2010

NACS Hosts A Webinar to Review FDA Regulations on Tobacco
On Wednesday NACS Counsel held a webinar to go over the details of the Food and Drug Administration??s (FDA) new regulations on the sale of tobacco products. To ensure that retailers are able to comply by the June 22 deadline legal counsel went through a presentation of the basics of the new rules and answered questions from retail participants. Topics included were age verification, clerk responsibility, gifts, promotions, and signage. To see the power point presentation click here.

Very shortly NACS will post a second round questions and answers document. We received over 100 additional inquiries and will make sure we account for each potential situation under the new regime. Check nacsonline.com/tobacco for current information and for the future questions and answers document.

NACS Staff Contact: Lyle Beckwith, lbeckwith@nacsonline.com

Retailers Hold Rally and Head to the Hill
More than 100 small business owners from across the country descended upon Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to pass swipe fee reform. Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) a champion of reform in the House joined the retailers for a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol. The group then held face-to-face meetings with their Members of Congress. "Small business owners in Vermont and around the country are suffering from out-of-control swipe fees charged by big banks and credit card companies," Congressman Welch said. "Congress must stand up to the special interests swarming the Hill this week to kill the Durbin amendment. We must do the right thing by fighting for small businesses and the American consumer."

"I have owned my small business for almost four decades. Year after year, I have seen the effect of these fees firsthand. Last year Visa and MasterCard made more off of my store than I did. And I never once saw anyone from Visa or MasterCard mopping the floor, washing the windows, or taking inventory. No - they just want to take money from my cash register," said National spokesman for Reform Swipe Fees NOW! and 7-Eleven franchise owner, Dennis Lane. "The facts are on our side against the massive lobbying campaigns by Visa and MasterCard. All Congress needs to do now is include the provision as part of financial reform, and small businesses and consumers will see relief.

To hear Congressman Welch's press conference remarks, click here.

NACS Staff Contact: Lyle Beckwith, lbeckwith@nacsonline.com

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