TORONTO, Ontario – Ontario’s convenience store retailers are pleased with additional measures unveiled in the province’s Fall Economic Outlook aimed at preventing the growth of the contraband tobacco market in Ontario. The retailers also reminded the Ontario government that law-abiding convenience store retailers are not those responsible for the persistence of illegal tobacco throughout the province.

“The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) is pleased that Finance Minister Charles Sousa is taking steps to address this underground economy, which hurts the bottom lines of our small businesses and government revenues,” said OCSA president Dave Bryans, in a press release. “Illegal tobacco continues to thrive in Ontario and we welcome any measures that may halt this criminal activity.”

The Economic Outlook commits to establishing a contraband tobacco enforcement team through the Ontario Provincial Police, as well as regulation of tobacco product components such as acetate tow. These measures build on those introduced earlier in 2015 to provide additional support for the OPP and regulate raw leaf tobacco.

“Our association does not condone the sale of illegal, untaxed tobacco products in convenience stores, period,” Bryans said. “While we support more enforcement to tackle this illegal trade, Ontarians and government decision-makers must know that our stores are not the source of this problem.”