Fighting contraband
Our commitment:
Creating safer communities by working with government and industry partners to reduce the illicit tobacco trade driven by organized crime.
Tobacco is one of the most common illegally traded goods in the world. The illicit tobacco trade is not a petty or victimless crime—illegal cigarettes are a problem for all of us. They undermine public health, threaten public safety and siphon government tax revenue meant for providing important social services.
In Canada, there are roughly six billion contraband cigarettes sold each year and according to the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies, there are 173 known organized criminal groups (OCGs) involved in Canada's illegal cigarette trade. By some estimates, the illegal cigarette trade is eight times as profitable as drug dealing.
A problem all Canadians should care about
This is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently and is one every Canadian should care about. It is also a problem that every Canadian can do something about.
Governments, both provincially and federally, have to recognize that contraband tobacco is not a victimless crime – it has serious implications. We continue to urge all levels of government to work together with provincial law enforcement agencies to take decisive action to combat the problem. Quebec was able to reduce illegal sales from roughly 33 per cent to around 12 per cent by moving in this direction and enacting legislation that empowered police officers. Governments can also take action by targeting the supply side of the equation.