Up in smoke

Study shows contraband tobacco use is on the rise in Niagara.

Illegal tobacco use is on the rise in Niagara Falls.

According to a new study measuring contraband tobacco levels in Ontario, nearly 27.7 per cent of all tobacco products consumed in the city are illegal, compared to 20.9 per cent last year.

The study, conducted in September on behalf of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, indicates the volume of contraband tobacco being smoked continues to rise in every region across the province.

Illegal cigarettes now account for 37.2 per cent of all cigarettes smoked in Ontario, up 13 per cent from the previous year – and up 67 per cent from only four years ago.

The study involved collecting and analyzing 18,816 cigarette butts found in 135 public smoking areas in 23 cities.

A wide range of locations were selected, including schools, government buildings, hospitals and public transit stops.

In Niagara Falls, butts were collected at both casinos and the Greater Niagara General Hospital.

In terms of locations where illegal cigarettes are found, high schools reported the biggest year-over-year increase in contraband levels.

Last year, bootlegged butts collected near Saint Paul High School were found to be 17.5 per cent contraband. This year, that figure jumped to 42 per cent.

“Throughout Ontario, all high schools have gone up,” said Dave Bryans, CEO of the non-profit association which represents more than 7,500 convenience stores.

Bryans admits the study is based on “unscientific research” as a sweep in the same location on another day would likely yield different results but says the data indicates current government policies are making illegal tobacco products more popular with smokers.

Repeated government tax hikes, he said, mean the retail price gap between legal tobacco and contraband product continues to widen, making tax-free cigarettes more attractive, particularly to lower-income residents and minors.

“Our members are demanding the government reconsider the schedule of these tax increases until we have effectively dealt with the growth of contraband tobacco in Ontario.

According to the association, the contraband tobacco industry costs small businesses such as convenience stores $1.1-billion in sales each year.

The majority of contraband tobacco originate at aboriginal reserves in Ontario and New York State and organized crime groups are actively involved in the distribution and sale of the cigarettes, Bryans added.