Media Availability - Anti-Contraband Tobacco Spokesperson Available For Comment on Ontario Fiscal Update

Millions in lost taxes finance organize crime, stronger action required

OTTAWA, Nov. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) is monitoring closely today's fiscal update by Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa.

The RCMP estimates that there are about 175 criminal gangs involved in the contraband tobacco trade. They also estimate that there are about 50 illegal cigarette factories operating in Canada, each able to produce as many as 10,000 cigarettes a minute. The gangs that run the trade make an estimated $75 million each year in pure profit, which they use to fun other activities, including guns, drugs and human smuggling. Contraband is also a prime source for youth smoking, as the criminals involved in the trade don't check for I.D. About 1 in 3 cigarettes purchased in Ontario are illegal.

The NCACT's National Spokesperson Gary Grant is available today for interviews by telephone and in person in the GTA.

ABOUT THE NCACT
The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco is a Canadian advocacy group formed by organizations and associations 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)

Michael Powell, (p) 1 866 950-5551, (m) 613 797 7313, (e) [email protected]