Community rejects request for Legislation to prohibit sale, manufacture and distribution of tobacco in Kahnawà:ke

05/23/2012

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non that the proposed Legislation to prohibit sale, manufacture and distribution of tobacco in Kahnawà:ke was unanimously rejected by those in attendance at last night’s Community Consultation.

Approximately 150 community members attended. The vast majority participated, with the remainder observing.

The specific question that was presented was as follows:

    “Do we have a mandate to develop legislation that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of any tobacco and all cigarettes except for ceremonial and-or medicinal use?”

As indicated in the Community Decision Making Process (CDMP), the participants were asked to sit in one of three groups.  All three groups reached consensus very quickly and the issue was resolved in less than an hour.

The issue is now closed.

The legislation was proposed by a private citizen on 29 Ohiari’kó:wa-May 2010. It should be noted that the proposal did not necessarily reflect the position of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke but, rather, indicates that the CDMP allows for individuals to propose either new legislation or amendments to existing laws.

The Final Report will be made available online at www.kahnawakemakingdecisions.com upon completion.