Coalition led by Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association Launches Public Awareness Ad Campaign

Radio Ads Call for Change to Unfair Policies
Driving Convenience Store Owners out of Business

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2018 /CNW/ - Ontario's independent convenience store owners are launching a series of radio ads to raise awareness about how government policies are driving store owners out of business while helping organized crime through the spread of contraband tobacco.

The radio ads represent the next stage of the campaign to generate awareness in the general public. "We need people to understand that every time government raises tobacco taxes, the only group that benefits is the organized crime groups that traffic contraband tobacco", said Don Cha, General Manager of the OKBA. "We are pleading with the provincial government to reconsider their planned $4.00 tax to be introduced in this year's budget. If they go ahead more of our stores will close and more smokers will start purchasing untaxed and unregulated tobacco from criminals. It's just not fair", he added.

The ads will begin airing Wednesday February 21^st on radio stations in Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo and London, Ontario. The 30 second ad features a typical hard- working immigrant store owner and his wife, explaining how they came to Canada to pursue a dream of running their own successful business. In the radio ad the couple states: "When it comes to selling tobacco, we've always followed the rules. We pay our taxes, but how can we compete with people who don't?"

To listen to the full 30-second ad, click on the link below:

http://www.saveourstores.ca/listen-to-our-radio-ad/

While the provincial government has long recognized the problem of contraband tobacco in Ontario, little concrete action has been taken. Over the last few years the levels of contraband tobacco has continued to increase to the point where it is now estimated close to 40% of all tobacco consumed in Ontario is purchased from the black market.

The store owners' coalition is spearheaded by the Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association (OKBA), the largest organization of independent convenience stores in the province. Over the last 10 years more than 500 OKBA members have closed down their businesses as a result of the ever-worsening business environment in Ontario.

The SOS campaign, which launched in the summer of 2017, focuses on key issues that are impacting independent convenience store owners, including:

1. Contraband Tobacco
2. Increase to Minimum Wage
3. Unaffordable Electricity Rates
4. Excessive Red Tape
5. Lack of Beverage Alcohol Sales

Since the campaign's launch last summer, stores have been profiled in various communities around Ontario including Thornhill, Brantford, Orillia, Kitchener and Pickering. For a summary of all the local community stories please visit: www.saveourstores.ca/news

SOURCE Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association

please contact: Peter Seemann, [email protected], [phone]