/R E P E A T -- Story/Photo Opportunity - Barrie MP Joins Forces with
Canadian Convenience Stores Association to Decrease Contraband Tobacco/

MP Patrick Brown to endorse Association's 10% - 2010 Contraband Objective

BARRIE, ON, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - Just two months after local MPs and MPPs in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, were called upon by convenience stores owners to commit to reducing contraband tobacco use to 10% in 2010, Barrie MP Patrick Brown is committing his support towards eliminating contraband tobacco - a multi-faceted problem that has legal, social and financial implications for all.

After seven years of  alarming growth, Ontario and Quebec have the highest concentration of illicit tobacco manufacturing operations, the majority of the high-volume smuggling points and the largest number of consumers of contraband tobacco according to the RCMP (2009 Update Report). 

In May, the Canadian Convenience Stores Association launched a new campaign - the 10% - 2010 Contraband Objective Campaign - during a month-long 25-city tour of the province that included a stop in Barrie. The tour raised awareness of the increasing problem and called upon local MPs and MPPs to support a number of measures to stop the spread of contraband products and keep them out of the hands of minors.

Details

WHAT:	CCSA News Conference and Pledge Signing - Mr. Brown will endorse the campaign and support local retailers' concerns about the issue.
WHEN:	Friday, September 24, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:	Barrie Convenience, 7 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON
WHO:	Patrick Brown, MP, Barrie
	Representatives from the Ontario Convenience Stores Association
	Owners of Barrie Convenience
	Media Interviews and Pledge Signing photos with participants will be available.

For further information: