Clearing the air on illegal smokes
Gary Grant wants to spread the word that being involved in the contraband tobacco trade is far from a victimless crime. Grant, a former Toronto, Ont. police officer for 40 years, is the spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) and brought his message to P.E.I. on Wednesday.
He said many Canadians are unaware of the severity of the issue and its connections to organized crime.
“Most Canadians don’t smoke, so this is not on their radar,” said Grant, noting that in Ontario alone it’s estimated that the illicit industry accounts for a $1 billion annual shortfall in provincial and federal tax. “All levels of society are victimized by the contraband trade. It’s conducted by organized crime that doesn’t have anyone’s interests in mind except their own.”
Grant is meeting with federal, provincial, municipal officials and law enforcement throughout the Maritimes this week to warn them and offer guidance on combatting what he says is a growing industry.
In New Brunswick, Grant said the annual number of lost tax revenue annually is estimated to be about $13 million. While there has been a number of illegal tobacco busts in P.E.I. over the past several years, Grant said it’s important law enforcement and public officials remain vigilant.
He met with Charlottetown MP Sean Casey as well as Erin Mitchell, P.E.I. deputy minister of justice and public safety, while in P.E.I.
“It’s been indicated the province is going to take a proactive stance in trying to make sure the contraband trade doesn’t get a foothold in P.E.I.,” said Grant, noting that distributors often deal in other crimes such as drug running and weapons trafficking.
“(Public officials) are aware that contraband tobacco is trying to make its way into the province and they’re aware motorcycle gangs are probably the most likely to be involved.”
Grant said the federal government’s plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging as a way of discouraging smoking could also see some unexpected consequences that may bolster the illicit industry.
He said plain packing is easy for contraband distributors to replicate and that Australia has seen an estimated 26 per cent increase in illegal cigarettes since adopting similar legislation.
“It will lead to confusion in law enforcement and consumers,” said Grant, who is not against plain packing but also wants the legislation amended to “take a bite out of contraband cigarettes as well.”
Grant said introducing regulations tracking the sale of acetate tow, which is used to make cigarette filters and is only available from a limited number of suppliers worldwide, would be one important factor in curbing the illegal industry.
He said his other goal is to simply raise awareness to let people know of the severity of the crime’s effects and to encourage them to contact Crime Stoppers if they have knowledge of distributors.
He also suggested introducing stiffer provincial penalties for offenders, which he credited P.E.I. for doing several years ago, as well as encouraging increased support and collaboration between police and public officials across provincial boundaries.
“It’s not a victimless crime. It’s the taxpayers’ money and when organized crime comes into your community, everybody is a victim.”