Canada - c-store association applauds move by govt to focus on nation's tobacco contraband problem..

October 28, 2010 - Encouraged by recent reports that the Canadian federal and Quebec governments are shifting their focus on tobacco strategy to the problem of contraband, the Canadian Convenience Stores (c-store) Association (CCSA) applauded the move and reminded officials that their best approach is to stay away from any new regulations or taxation on legal tobacco that would weaken the fight against the manufacturing and distribution of illegal tobacco products.

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The association, which represents 27,000 retailers nationwide, is asking the Federal and Provincial governments to adopt a freeze on new regulation or taxation of legal tobacco products until the authorities have significantly reduced the contraband tobacco rate to under 10% for a sustained period.

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The CCSA advocates that most new tax or regulation on legal tobacco—like the recent Bill C-32 outlawing flavored cigarillos--is making the illicit market more attractive to smokers. "As history shows us, excessive taxes are the root cause of contraband tobacco, benefiting criminals and depriving governments and legal convenience stores of millions of dollars in income," said Gadbois.

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The group emphasized that the contraband situation is far from being resolved. "Of the 400 illegal smoke shacks and more than 50 cigarette production factories operating in Canada without permits, none has yet to shut down," he said.

In an effort to put a "face" on contraband, the association is mailing a replica Ziploc baggie of 200 contraband cigarettes to all MPs and MPPs in Ontario and Quebec. "The visual of the baggies is a reminder to our leaders that every day illegal cigarettes are sold in smoke shacks, delivered to kids at school and sold out of the trunks of cars in parking lots in communities throughout their province," said Gadbois. "Illegal bags of cigarettes like this replica sell for as little as $15 with no age checks or government control. In comparison, a similar quantity of legal cigarettes sold by licensed and tax collecting store owners can cost close to $80. Is it any wonder why we have a growing problem that is affecting our communities on so many levels?"

The CCSA has developed a basic mission to promote corporate social responsibility and represent "Responsible Community Retailing" and has developed the We Expect ID world-class age-testing program for all employees in the channel. The CCSA works to promote and foster professional business practices, standards and ethics throughout the C-Store industry and provides training, education and guidance to its members.

Reference: Canadian C-stores Demand a Freeze on New Tobacco Regs, Taxes Applauds government shift in tobacco strategy to focus on contraband, CSP Daily News, 10/25/2010.

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