EMC Smith Falls
EMC Lifestyle - Forty per cent of cigarettes sold are contraband. And people buying these cigarettes are smoking the contained insect eggs, mould and human feces.
These two shocking facts were revealed during a recent Ministry of Revenue presentation on illegal cigarettes.
I had the pleasure of attending the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers (OACS) 2010 provincial conference, June 12 to 15 in Windsor. As a member of the Smiths Falls and District Crime Stoppers board I was one of several from the local agency to attend the conference event, which provided a plethora of information to members. The presentation on illegal cigarettes was one of many interesting presentations throughout the weekend.
Provided by Deb Mineau, inspector with the Motor Fuels and Tobacco Tax branch and Mary Chaffey, Investigations Analyst for the Special Investigations Branch, the workshop provided a scary glimpse into a problem they say is a global one.
Revenues lost through the sale of illegal cigarettes sits at $2 billion while, daily, they explained $1.3 million is lost from provincial sales taxes. They also noted that the health care system will suffer as a result of the lost tax dollars. Smokers who are smoking these cigarettes are expected to develop health problems in 10 to 15 years, they say. As a result there will be an extra burden on the health care system, which won't have the supporting dollars in place to deal with the problem, claimed the presenters.
To add to the staggering numbers they brought forward that day, they asserted 105 organized crime groups are benefiting from the sale of the illegal cigarettes, with some funds being funneled to the Middle East.
The sale of illegal cigarettes to children and youth is on the rise, with sixty per cent of butts around high schools those from contraband cigarettes, they suggested.
Individuals selling these illegal products will often sell out of vehicle trunks at busy places, like coffee shops or churches, the women stated.
Fines issued for infractions stay within the local community they also noted, and authorities are interested in any information they can get on the sale of illegal cigarettes.
Those with a tip on these types of crimes or any crime in general have an alternative method to report to police - they can call Crime Stoppers and know they will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not record calls, does not have call display and you do not have to go to court or testify. Plus, if your information leads to an arrest or charge you qualify for a reward of up to $2,000. Those wishing to provide a tip may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Calls are answered 24 hours a day.