News Conference - Today - Story, Photo and Video Opportunity - C-Stores
Association Launches 25-City Tour at Queen's Park Today to Expose the Inner
Workings of the Contraband Tobacco Industry in Ontario

TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Close to 350 smoke shacks in Ontario and Quebec are making it virtually impossible for legitimate convenience store retailers to compete in the sale of tobacco products. Every other day, an Ontario convenience store closes its doors.

The Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA) is "raising the roof" on smoke shacks by inviting media to the launch of a 25-city Ontario tour aimed at educating the public about the inner workings of the contraband tobacco industry and the huge economic and social implications that illicit tobacco has on both Native and non-native communities.

The CCSA will unveil its rolling exhibit - "Window on Contraband" - that will travel throughout Ontario during the month of November and promises a front-seat view of the contraband industry's inner workings.

At the news conference, the CCSA will also address the Ontario government's lack of initiative and strategy in fighting the war on contraband and the troubling "double-standard" that exists in the current law.

Details

WHAT:		Launch of the Canadian Convenience Stores Association's "Window on Contraband" Tour
WHEN:		Monday, November 1 at 1:30 PM*
		*Following the news conference, photographers and videographers will be invited to an off-site location to get images and video of the "Window on Contraband" replica smoke shack that will travelling during the tour.
WHERE:		Media Studio, Queen's Park, Toronto
WHO:		Michel Gadbois - Senior Vice-President, Canadian Convenience Stores Association
		Peter Seemann - Regional Consultant Ontario - Canadian Convenience Stores Association
		Interviews will be available following remarks.

For further information:

Dianna Eakins, Media Contact
Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA)
Cell :  905.630.4208 /  Email: [email protected]