Tribal leaders criticize new smokeshop rule

Saturday, April 8th 2006, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The chief of the Osage Nation says his tribe plans to file a federal lawsuit to overturn an emergency rule signed by Governor Brad Henry that targets tribal smokeshops.

Henry yesterday signed the rule intended to stop tribally licensed tobacco stores from selling cigarettes with the cheapest tax stamps.

Osage Chief Jim Gray says his tribe will go to federal court to block the rule because it violates its compact with the state.

The Cherokee and Creek nations also expressed disappointment with Henry's decision.

The emergency rule eliminates the practice of wholesalers selling 6-cent cigarette stamps to tribally licensed stores.

The 6-cent stamps are to be sold only in specified areas near Oklahoma borders, but some tribally licensed stores are shipping cigarettes with the 6-cent stamps to other areas.