Summerside -
A recent study of two Summerside locations discovered an alarming presence of contraband cigarettes.
The remnants of illegal tobacco products were identified at both the Summerside Tax Centre and the Miscouche Legion, according to findings by the Atlantic Convenience Stores Association.
The association's president, Mike Hammoud, said 13.4 per cent of P.E.I.'s convenience stores were forced to close their doors last year.
He cited lost revenue from contraband cigarette sales as a major factor in that statistic.
"The average person looks at this as a victimless crime," Hammoud said in Summerside. "They're purchasing the product to save money, but when they purchase cigarettes from convenience stores across this province, their money is being earmarked for health and social programs."
In April, the association hired independent, Montreal-based research firm NIRIC to gather at least 150 cigarette butts from 43 locations across Atlantic Canada.
The samples were analyzed to determine what percentage were contraband.
Illegal smokes accounted for 15 per cent of the samples at the tax centre, and 9.9 per cent at the Legion.
Samples were also collected at the Heritage Pub and Three Oaks Senior High, but were too wet to be analyzed.
The RCMP say there are nearly 50 illegal cigarette-manufacturing operations across the country. The biggest seem to be on First Nations reserves in central Canada, and one on the U.S. side of the Akwesasne reserve near Southern Ontario.
The convenience store association's national body has put forward a 10-point plan aimed at reducing contraband levels to less than 10 per cent by the end of the year. The group suggests urging local MLAs and MPs to act.
The Canadian Cancer Society was critical of the strategy yesterday, however, saying it's a lot of talk and little action.
"Their 10-point plan is weak. It has no concrete measures. There's a lot of talk, but we've been talking for years," said the cancer society's senior policy analyst Rob Cunningham.
"Clearly retailers are losing sales, but some retailers in some provinces are themselves selling contraband, so they are part of the problem."
The society recommends more stringent measures such as giving municipal and provincial authorities more power to crack down on illegal cigarette manufacturers, and to put a permanent border post at Akwesasne.
Cunningham also pointed out the convenience store association is partially funded by tobacco companies.
"The P.E.I. government has some very good measures in place," he said. "It could put more pressure on (Public Safety Minister) Vic Toews to act on this, and urge Ontario and Quebec to act as well."
ACTION PLAN
The Canadian Convenience Stores Association's 10 per cent campaign to end contraband tobacco:
1. Make the fight a local priority - The association says many MPs are not aware of the problem, even if it's happening in their own ridings.
2. MPs should work with their provincial and federal counterparts
3. Provincial and federal authorities should meet with each other and with concerned citizens.
4. MPs should visit schools and meet with principals to discuss the problem.
5. Form ant-contraband working groups such as Rotary, Lions and Knights of Columbus.
6. Adopt an action plan with mayors and municipalities.
7. Carry out an analysis of the problem in each riding.
8. MPs should interact with cabinet ministers.
9. Raise awareness and educate citizens.
10. Put yourself in the shoes of a convenience store owner - Hammoud urged local MPs to work behind the counter at a store, even for one hour.
