Ontario Convenience Stores Association Supports New Smoke-Free Ontario Act

TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA) is pleased to support the Government of Ontario's recent modernization of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. The update will help ensure tobacco, e-cigarettes and other age-restricted product sales are regulated, balancing government and industry's shared public health objectives with convenience retailers' needs throughout Ontario.

"We support Ontario's updated Smoke-Free Ontario Act and thank Minister Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, for the opportunity to provide input on behalf of convenience retailers," said Dave Bryans, CEO of the OCSA. "Being responsible community retailers is at the core of our members' businesses, and we believe the new Act advances how the sale of these products is regulated."

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act's update comes at an important time with new items like e-cigarettes entering the marketplace. Consistent rules and regulations governing product sales is an important step toward providing predictability and consistency in the way these products are handled and sold in Ontario.

The convenience sector is a strong partner of the Government of Ontario. Convenience stores collect approximately $1.2 billion in tobacco tax revenue each year, while also selling $2.4 billion in Ontario Lottery and Gaming lottery products. 

"Convenience retailers play an important partnership role with the government of Ontario and work to exceed the standards that are set out in regulation," added Bryans.  "When measured by data from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Attorney General, Ontario's convenience stores have a regulatory compliance rate of over 95% when it comes to the sale of age-restricted products – and we're always working to improve."

About the Ontario Convenience Stores Association
The OCSA represents many convenience store retailers in the province of Ontario. The not-for-profit association is active in advocacy, education, and training for its members, and is engaged in many issues affecting convenience store retailers.

SOURCE Ontario Convenience Stores Association

Media inquiries: John Perenack, StrategyCorp, [email protected], 416-864-7903