A new campaign by convenience store representatives rolled into the city today in the hopes of unravelling the multi-billion dollar contraband cigarette problem.
The Canadian Convenience Stores Association is challenging local MP Guy Lauzon and MPP Jim Brownell to get behind the association's goal to reduce contraband smoking to 10% in 2010.
"Despite numerous calls to action by convenience store owners over the past three years, the government results so far in fighting contraband are not significant," said Michel Gadbois, association vice-president.
If the rate of contraband use drops to 10% or less, the association asserts it will no longer be viably lucrative for criminal organizations to distribute illegal cigarettes.
Lauzon would not immediately commit to the 10% goal when asked to make a direct pledge.
"I don't think a specific target will motivate us anymore," Lauzon said.
"I can understand their frustration and for some time, for years we've been picking away on (reducing contraband sales).
"It is a major concern and certainly on (the federal government's) radar screen."
Gadbois and other association personnel are touring with the campaign motor home that features a blown-up photograph of a teenaged boy facing a hand holding a bag of contraband smokes.
They had parked at the Short Line Convenience store owned by Elizabeth and Chris Nurse.
"We've lost a lot of stores (since the explosion of smuggled cigarettes)," Elizabeth Nurse said.
"You just have to look how many there were in a phone book from 10-15 years ago.
The Nurses estimate they've lost about 50% of their overall sales.
"When they're not coming in for cigarettes they're not buying a soft drink or newspaper," Elizabeth said.
Local business people are not losing money.
But at least one in three teenagers smoke contraband, due to its availability and low price, Gadbois said.
The association conducted a survey of cigarette butts found on or near the properties of four city high schools and found that 31% were of illegal origin.
Cornwall Collegiate had the highest rate, at 39%, followed by 36% at St. Joseph, 30% at La Citadelle and 20% at L'Heritage.
It's no surprise, Gadbois said, that illegal smokes are being used by students.
"The criminal organizations (operating the contraband distribution) purposely go after younger people because young people are new smokers, from which they also recruit to be runners," he said.
He added people under the age of 18 also have less to fear from the court system, which hands out lesser sentences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The association's campaign is suggesting 10 measures for MPs and MPPs: make the fight against contraband tobacco a 'local priority'; working in conjunction with their federal or provincial counterparts; meeting with provincial and federal police authorities; visiting schools, meeting with principals; forming an anti-contraband working group; adopting an action plan with the mayors and municipalities; carry out an analysis of the problem in the riding; interact with cabinet ministers; raising awareness and educating citizens; and put yourself in the shoes of a convenience store owner.
Some of these suggestions, such as meeting with police and operating a unified police task force are already being done, Lauzon said.
"Once we get these proposals (directly) I bring it to caucus and start finding a way of addressing them," he said.