Sale of contraband cigarettes increased at 30% in Canada

December 17, 2007

Quebec people are champions among smokers of illegal cigarettes. This name they share with their neighbors from Ontario. Indeed, sale of contraband cigarettes increased at 30% in Canada in 2007 and at 37% in Quebec during this year. Such annual result, reckoned up by Canadian Council of tobacco businessmen. Investigations prove that 30,5% of cigarettes, smoked in this country are the results of illegal trade. According to the Council, the total losses estimate at $1,6 billion. These tobacco products are the results of indigenous reserves founded along The Saint Lawrence River. These cigarettes are sold at the prices of a good case or about $6 for one cartridge, while products of main cigarettes businessmen are sold for $48‐70.

Small retailers can not compete with cheap illegal tobacco, says the president of JTI Macdoland Corp. Michelle Puarie. Illegal cigarettes are not subdued to the same regulations as cigarettes produced by the businessmen, the members of the Council. There is no control to check the quality of cigarettes. Very often such cigarettes are sold in plastic packs which do not convey the information about hazardous effect of smoking.