SUDBURY - The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) praised the support of the Greater Sudbury City Council earlier this week, recognizing its passage of a motion against contraband tobacco.

The Sudbury council€™s motion formally requests the city€™s mayor to write a letter encouraging the Ontario Minister of Finance to increase resources in the fight against contraband tobacco.

"The Greater Sudbury area is a key contraband trafficking route with numerous recent seizures by local OPP and RCMP detachments who have been working hard to eradicate this problem," said Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. "We would like to applaud Councilor Frances Caldarelli for taking the lead on this initiative and also recognize her Council colleagues who supported its passage. The OCSA will continue to offer its support to any and all municipalities that wish to join the fight against contraband tobacco."

Combating contraband tobacco has been a major focus for OCSA and it€™s 7,000 convenience store operators. "As the provincial government looks to follow through on Budget commitments to stop contraband tobacco, support from all levels of government will be critical in helping protect the safety of our communities," Bryans said.