Some Saskatchewan First Nations leaders are talking to the province about allowing their members to buy more tax-free cigarettes — but anti-smoking groups are against the plan.
Residents of First Nations can buy up to three cartons of cigarettes a week each without paying provincial tobacco tax — as long as they buy their tobacco on the reserve.
Without the tax, they can get cigarettes for around $5 a pack — around half the price it would be if the provincial tax of $4.50 was added.
Morley Watson, vice-chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said his organization has been talking to the government about raising the limit to five cartons a week.
It could be an economic boon to more than 100 confectionaries and gas stations on reserve property.
However, five cartons works out to about 1,000 cigarettes a person a week.
The Canadian Cancer Society notes that First Nations people are already three times as likely to smoke as non-First Nations people and wants to see the permitted maximums reduced, not raised.
Donna Pasiechnik, spokesperson for the cancer society in
Steps should be taken to prevent the excess from being sold illegally, she said.
"We have been advocating for a monthly quota for tax-exempt purchases based on reserve population," she said.
Finance Minister Andrew Thomson said he's under pressure from both sides to change the maximum.
He said three cartons a week is reasonable, striking a delicate balance between health concerns and aboriginal rights. A suggestion to reduce the maximum to two cartons a week wasn't well-received by First Nations, he said.
"While we all want to see a cessation of smoking and reduction of those numbers, this is an issue, we need to be mindful, is governed by the treaties," he said.
According to Pasiechnik, the most effective way to reduce smoking is to increase taxes, with the excess tax revenue being used to encourage people to butt out.
However, an on-reserve tobacco tax is considered unlikely unless there can be agreement by all 71 Saskatchewan First Nations.