Canadian convenience stores ask Harper to take action against illegal smokes

Canada’s convenience stores have called on the Harper government to finally take action against illegal cigarettes.

The Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA) say contraband tobacco costs the government $2.5 billion each year in lost revenue.

The CCSA is meeting with MPs to get the Tories to follow through on their promise to tackle the problem by hiring 50 new RCMP officers dedicated to stopping the criminal activity.

Alex Scholten, CCSA president, said those promises have not been fulfilled.

“We are frustrated and disappointed that more has not been done,” said Scholten, “but we are pushing for some of those announcements to be followed through upon.”

Scholten added that there are many public safety concerns with contraband tobacco as well.

Illegal smokes don’t have warning labels, are easily sold to underage kids and the proceeds go to organized crime groups.

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