Historic Legislation Regarding Tobacco Products for U.S. Service Members Surfaces on GovInfo
Washington D.C. – A fascinating piece of legislative history, previously accessible through the digital archives of GovInfo, has recently been brought to light with its republication on the government’s official repository. The document, identified as S. Rept. 78-118, titled “Permitting the shipment tax-free of certain tobacco products to territories of the United States for use of members of the military and naval forces of the United States,” offers a window into a specific concern of the U.S. Congress during a pivotal era.
Published by the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) and made available on govinfo.gov, this Senate Report details a legislative proposal that was ordered to be printed on March 16, 1943, during a legislative day of March 9th of the same year. The report’s core purpose was to address the logistics and tax implications surrounding the provision of tobacco products to American service members stationed in U.S. territories.
The context of 1943 is crucial to understanding the significance of this report. The United States was deeply involved in World War II, with military personnel deployed across vast geographical distances, including numerous U.S. territories. Ensuring the well-being and morale of these service members was a paramount concern for the nation. The report indicates a legislative effort to facilitate the tax-free shipment of tobacco products, suggesting a recognition of the role such comforts could play in the lives of those serving abroad.
While the report itself does not delve into the specific types or quantities of tobacco products, its title clearly outlines the intent: to allow these items to be sent to territories without incurring federal taxes. This measure likely aimed to make these goods more affordable and readily available to the men and women of the U.S. Army and Navy. Such provisions were not uncommon during wartime, as governments sought to balance national needs with the welfare of their fighting forces.
The inclusion of this historical document on govinfo.gov underscores the GPO’s commitment to preserving and making accessible the vast record of American legislative and governmental actions. The republication date of September 12, 2025, indicates the ongoing process of digitizing and organizing historical documents to ensure their continued availability to researchers, historians, and the public.
This Senate Report, though focused on a seemingly minor aspect of military support, serves as a valuable reminder of the multifaceted considerations involved in sustaining a military during times of conflict. It highlights the legislative branch’s responsiveness to the needs of service members and the governmental mechanisms in place to support them, even in matters of everyday comfort. Researchers interested in the history of military support, wartime legislation, or the evolution of tax policies may find S. Rept. 78-118 a useful resource for their studies.
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govinfo.gov Congressional SerialSet published ‘S. Rept. 78-118 – Permitting the shipment tax-free of certain tobacco products to territories of the United States for use of members of the military and naval forces of the United States. March 16 (legislative day, March 9), 1943. — Ordered to be printed’ at 2025-09-12 17:19. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.