Canadian Coalition Calls on Anti-Smoking Advocates to Address Contraband Tobacco

The growing illegal tobacco trade should be a theme at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health.

March 03, 2016

OTTAWA, Ontario – The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) has asked the National Conference on Tobacco or Health participants to focus their attention on the critical issue of contraband tobacco that continues to undermine tobacco control measures implemented by the government.

“The National Conference on Tobacco or Health is a prime opportunity to discuss how organized crime-controlled contraband tobacco is a threat to public safety and public health in this country,” said Gary Grant with the Toronto Police Service and the NCACT's national spokesperson, in a press release.

“Contraband tobacco puts cheap illegal cigarettes in the hands of underage smokers and makes a mockery of Canada’s tobacco control laws. Illicit tobacco products have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority and theme for its World No Tobacco Day 2015. The NCACT and its members encourage the Canadian government to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which clearly outlines contraband tobacco as a growing global problem and threat to public health,” Grant said.

WHO research states that eliminating the trade in illegal tobacco would improve public health, reduce crime and generate an additional $31 billion in tax revenue for governments. In Canada, the danger of contraband tobacco has also been recognized by public health advocates. On November 16, 2015, after the introduction of the Ontario Smoke-Free Schools Act, 2015, the Heart and Stroke Foundation stated that “most smokers begin at a young age, often before they turn 20.” The foundation asserted that the low cost of contraband cigarettes makes it easier and cheaper for young people to start smoking, which echoed a 2010 report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) demonstrating that youth are able to afford and access contraband tobacco products more readily than regulated tobacco products.

According to law enforcement agencies, illegal cigarettes bring Canada’s youth into contact with some of our country's least desirable elements. Many contraband tobacco dealers are also involved in the sale of illegal drugs, weapons and human trafficking.

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