WASHINGTON - The Washington Post last week analyzed the $109 billion federal highway bill, pointing out that the amendment includes language that would reclassify tobacco shops that offer roll-your-own (RYO) machines as "tobacco manufacturers."

The reclassification would thus impose new regulations and higher taxes on the stores, a move that NACS supports, as the RYO storefronts have affected roughly 62% of one-store operators.

The Post, however, painted a different picture, framing the issue as one of Big Tobacco against the little guy. "This is catastrophic," said Phil Accordino, whose small company builds RYO machines in Girard, Ohio.

NACS, along with tobacco companies and some members of Congress, maintain that the bill is aimed at cracking down on unregulated cigarettes. "Roll-your-own cigarette machines take advantage of an unintended tax loophole, and that isn??t right, so this offset closes it," said U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

The RYO issue is a central one for NACS; it is taking the issue to Congress for NACS Day on Capitol Hill, which takes place today and tomorrow in Washington, D.C.