Tag Archives: Canadian Convenience Store Association

11.07.10
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Exposing the Inner Workings of the Contraband Tobacco Industry

C-Stores Association Visits St. Thomas to Expose
the Inner Workings of the Contraband Tobacco Industry in Ontario

Close to 350 smoke shacks in Ontario and Quebec are making it virtually impossible for legitimate convenience store retailers to compete in the sale of tobacco products. Every other day, an Ontario convenience store closes its doors.

The Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA) is “raising the roof” on smoke shacks by inviting media to the St. Thomas stop of a 25-city Ontario tour aimed at educating the public about the inner workings of the contraband tobacco industry and the huge economic and social implications that illicit tobacco has on both Native and non-native communities.
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09.19.09
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School boards and health unit butt out of illegal smokes

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Last week in this corner we talked with Mary (not her real name), a convenience store operator in St. Thomas about the impact of contraband tobacco sales on her shop and other outlets in the city.
She warned several neighbourhood variety stores have either closed or are teetering as the result of the sale of illegal cigarettes in St. Thomas and Elgin.
Here’s a far more sobering warning — cigarettes are now for sale in city schoolyards (both high school and elementary) that cost less than a pack of gum.
“There are kids selling bags of cigarettes at the high schools,” advises Mary. “I’ve seen kids smoking outside Scott Street Public School. Where are they getting those?”
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