Canada - Obama visit - help STOP cigarette smuggling from U.S..

February 20, 2009 - Yesterday (2/19/2009) as President Obama arrived on Parliament Hill , he was greeted by a giant, 21-meter (19.1 yards) long banner stating "Please STOP cigarette smuggling from the U.S to Canada".

The Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC) is calling for effective action to end the massive volume of smuggled cigarettes originating in the U.S. and entering Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounting Police (RCMP) reports that cigarette smuggling from about 10 illegal, unlicensed factories located on the U.S. side of the Akwesasne reserve near Cornwall represents as much as 90% of cigarette contraband in Canada. This contraband is having a very serious adverse impact on Canadian public health, public revenue and public security.

References: Parliament Hill urges President Obama to stop cigarette smuggling from the U.S. to Canada, CNW Group, 2/19/2009.

Related news briefs: Canada economic recession losing billions in unpaid tobacco taxes..; Canada - Police arrest 46 in tobacco crackdown..; Imperial Tobacco Survey - Canadian Illegal Tobacco Trade..; Canada - Introduction of Tobacco Stamp to combat contraband ..; Canada tobacco firms admit aiding smuggling...

Click on image to enlarge, Image from Melodie Tilson, Non-Smoking Rights Association - Canada..