Atlantic Forum on Contraband Tobacco brings
together provinces, the private sector and law-enforcement in
effort to tackle the illicit market that fuels organized
crime
TORONTO, April 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Bringing together small business,
provincial law enforcement agencies, Crime Stoppers, and government
officials, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. (RBH) hosted the
first ever Atlantic Forum on Contraband Tobacco.
The Forum, held on April 16, 2024,
the same day as the release of Canada's federal budget, provided a venue for
representatives from all Atlantic provinces to share invaluable
insights, information, strategies, and collaborate to combat
contraband tobacco in Atlantic
Canada.
Contraband is a rising issue across Canada, hurting both government revenue and
public safety. Last year alone, Nova
Scotia seized more than 3 million illegal cigarettes. A
study conducted by Ernst and Young, and commissioned by the
Convenience Store Industry Council of Canada, estimated up to 44 per cent of
cigarettes sold in Newfoundland
and Labrador are contraband. The
same study found potentially one out of two cigarettes in
Ontario are sold by organized
crime.
Criminal organizations do not respect provincial boundaries,
only federal coordination, leadership and resources can fix this
growing national issue.
Contraband tobacco is not a victimless crime, it hurts small
business owners who follow the rules while also making our
communities less safe. Contraband is controlled by, and directly
funds organized crime, including gun and drug trafficking, while
increasing the risk of youth access to cigarettes. Simply put,
criminals selling illegal tobacco are not checking ID.
QUOTE
"The federal government's decision to increase tobacco taxes
above and beyond the rate of inflation will only expand
Canada's growing contraband
tobacco market, putting more money in the pockets of organized
crime while making our communities less safe. As more and more
consumers buy illegal tobacco to avoid these new taxes, government
revenue will only go down, not up, meaning less revenue for vital
public services."
-
Kory McDonald, Director, External
Affairs, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges
"Yesterday's Atlantic Forum on Contraband Tobacco brought
together the best from Atlantic
Canada to work together, share information and best
practices to boost government revenue and protect our communities.
What's really needed, is federal leadership, coordination and
resources to put an end to this organized criminal activity that's
directly linked to gun and drug trafficking, and potentially
putting cigarettes in the hands of kids."
- Danny
Fournier, Manager Illicit Trade Prevention, Rothmans, Benson &
Hedges
To learn more about RBH, visit: https://www.rbhinc.ca/
About Rothmans, Benson &
Hedges Inc.
Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. (RBH), an affiliate of Philip
Morris International Inc., is one of Canada's leading tobacco and nicotine
companies and is working to deliver a smoke-free future. RBH is
committed to sustainability and creating a positive impact on
communities, the economy, and the environment. Currently, RBH
employs nearly 800 people across the country with its headquarters
in Toronto and a factory in Québec
City. Discover more about the company at
https://www.rbhinc.ca/ and stay updated on RBH's
transformation by following Twitter and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.