Media Advisory - World No Tobacco Day and Ontario's Billion Dollar Illegal Tobacco Problem

OTTAWA, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ -

Who:	Gary Grant, National Spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT), a 39 year veteran of the Toronto Police Service and the founder of Toronto Crime Stoppers
What:	May 31^st is the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day, and Gary Grant will be speaking on Ontario's massive contraband tobacco problem, where illegal cigarettes account for 1-in-3 cigarettes purchased over the past year. Contraband tobacco undermines government's tobacco control regulations and education efforts. Baggies filled with illegal cigarettes contain little or no warnings. If young people are not asked to show identification when buying illicit products, it makes it impossible to control their access to tobacco. Society loses. Organized crime wins.
Why:	Two months ago, the biggest illegal tobacco bust in North American history took place in Canada and involved over 700 police officers. This bust, known as Operation Mygale, resulted in the arrests of more than 60 people and included the seizure of close to 53,000 kg of tobacco. According to law enforcement groups, over the past 18 months the criminals involved in this bust illegally imported into Canada close to 2,300 tons of processed tobacco, which represents a total production of 4 billion cigarettes. This bust also included the seizure 836 of kilograms of cocaine and other drugs, making it one of the three largest seizures done in Canada in the past 25 years. Given Ontario has the worst illegal cigarette problem in the country, Gary will be meeting with policy advisors and MPPs from all parties to discuss what to do against this growing threat.
Where:	Queen's Park Media Studio, Toronto, Ontario
When:	Tuesday, May 31^st, 2016 at 2:00pm

About NCACT
The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco is a Canadian advocacy group formed with the participation of businesses, organizations and individuals concerned about the growing danger of contraband cigarettes. NCACT members share the goals of working together to educate people and urge government to take quick action to stop this growing threat.

The members of the NCACT are: Association des détaillants en alimentation du Québec (ADA), Association des marchands dépanneurs et épiciers du Québec (AMDEQ), Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA), Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers Council, Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), Customs and Immigration Union, Échec au crime Québec, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), National Convenience Stores Distributors Association (NACDA), Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Retail Council of Canada, Toronto Crime Stoppers, United Korean Commerce and Industry Association (UKCIA), and National Capital Area Crime Stoppers.                

SOURCE National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT)

To arrange interviews with Mr. Grant, please contact: Ashley Rensler, NCACT Public Affairs, Telephone: [phone] (office); 647-967-9324 (cell), Email: [email protected]