TORONTO – The Ontario Convenience Store Association (OCSA) has announced that it will join with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to work together to end the illicit trade of tobacco products. As part of World No Tobacco Day, organizations worldwide are calling attention to the issue of illicit tobacco, which represents a major global concern from many angles, including health, legal, economic, governance and corruption.

"The OCSA and its retailers have long felt the effects of illegal tobacco," said OCSA CEO Dave Bryans in a statement leading up to World No Tobacco Day. "We support the WHO's decision to make it the focus of this year's campaign and reiterate that the illicit tobacco trade undermines tobacco control policies that help keep tobacco out of the hands of youths, and strengthens corruption."

In Ontario, contraband tobacco now accounts for roughly one of every three cigarettes purchased. A recent OCSA study showed high schools, hospitals and other public buildings with rates as high as 48%.

Recognizing that the illegal tobacco trade robs Ontario of tax revenues, the Ontario government has introduced budgetary measures to combat the trade. These include making it easier to stop, detain and search vehicles suspected of smuggling tobacco and increasing powers and resources to the Ontario Provincial Police to focus on the link between organized crime and contraband tobacco.

"We are pleased that the Ontario government is stepping up to address contraband tobacco," said Bryans. "It is important to note that the passage of Bill 45, and its subsequent ban on tobacco flavors like menthol, will further increase the demand for these products in an already saturated market."

"The OCSA is a critical partner in the battle against the illicit tobacco trade and we will continue to work with the Ontario government on policies that help keep tobacco out of the hands of youth," he added.