DARTMOUTH, N.S. – Earlier this week, the Atlantic Convenience Stores Association (ACSA) called on the Nova Scotia government to exclude menthol tobacco from the province’s proposed flavored tobacco ban, saying the flavored cigarettes will still be brought into the province through illegal means, thus increasing the nation’s existing problem of contraband tobacco.

“If the province looks at possibly banning this product, then the floodgates will open up and there will be much more access for this product at a much cheaper price than what they’re paying right now,” said ACSA president Mike Hammoud.

The legislation to be introduced during the spring session, which opens today, is expected to ban flavoring in cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The convenience association is concerned that the ban, meant for newer flavorings that many fear appeal to young smokers, will include menthol, which has been around for 80 years.

Members of the convenience industry are not the only ones worried about a potential increase in illegal tobacco sales. Crime experts cite the very real connection between illegal tobacco products and organized crime, not to mention taking tax-based funds away from much-needed government programs.