Convenience industry supports N.B.’s plan to tackle contraband tobacco

A woman smokes on a street in London on April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) says it supports New Brunswick’s plan to tackle contraband tobacco.

The province promised to spend $1.2 million to form a dedicated contraband tobacco enforcement team when announcing Monday’s budget.

The council says illegal tobacco hurts local retailers, reduces provincial tax revenues and fuels organized crime.

It adds convenience store operators across New Brunswick continue to face unfair competition from the growing contraband market.

“Investing in enforcement is a necessary step to protect responsible retailers and push back against the illegal market,” said Mike Hammoud, CICC Atlantic vice president.

“Contraband tobacco continues to hurt small businesses and communities across the region, and a stronger, coordinated response will help restore fairness in the marketplace.”

Hammoud says the convenience store industry also supports enhanced enforcement.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with government and enforcement partners to support these efforts and to advance additional measures that deter contraband activity and strengthen the integrity of the legal tobacco market,” he said.

CICC represents the interests of convenience retailers, advocates for policies that support responsible retailing, economic growth and community safety.

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