Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and Convenience Industry Council of Canada attend Alberta Chamber of Commerce AGM to warn against organized crime.
TORONTO, ON, May 24, 2024 – Today, at the Alberta Chamber of Commerce AGM in Red Deer, Alberta, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. (RBH), along with the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco and the Convenience Industry Council of Canada warned business leaders and government officials of the growing contraband tobacco market impacting public safety and government finances in jurisdictions across Canada.
In the last nine months alone, Alberta has seized over 35 million contraband cigarettes. A study conducted by Ernst and Young and commissioned by the Convenience Store Industry Council of Canada, estimated up to 45 per cent of cigarettes sold in British Columbia are contraband. The same study found potentially one out of two cigarettes in Ontario are sold by organized crime.
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.
In recent months, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario have all taken steps to address this growing issue in their respective provinces. Alberta announced a new working group to tackle contraband tobacco in its 2024 budget, Saskatchewan recently passed Bill 29 The Tobacco Tax Amendment Act that includes new contraband enforcement measures, and Ontario’s 2024 budget took action to increase penalties for criminals caught selling contraband. However, criminal organizations do not respect provincial boundaries, only federal coordination, leadership and resources can fix this growing national problem.
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“Alberta’s recent seizures of over 35 million contraband cigarettes proves the threat to public safety and finances is a real issue impacting small business owners and communities across the province. We know contraband is controlled directly by gangs and other criminal organizations, and often when contraband tobacco is seized, illegal drugs including cocaine and fentanyl are also found. Federal leadership, coordination and resources are needed to put an end to this organized criminal activity that’s linked to gun and drug trafficking, and potentially putting cigarettes in the hands of youth.”
– Ron Bell, 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.
Media Inquiries:
Media Relations
Brayden Akers, Media Relations Lead
Brayden.akers@rbhinc.ca