The Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association Congratulates the Ontario Government on Additional Measures to Combat Illegal Tobacco

OTTAWA, May 6, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association (OKBA) is pleased with the Ontario Government's commitment in the 2013 budget to enhance measures to help tackle the problem of illegal tobacco.

"The government recognizes that contraband tobacco is more prevalent in the province of Ontario than in any other province in Canada," stated Hyuk Byung Kwon, President of the OKBA. "As a result, our 1700 members who are law-abiding, small business owners inexcusably pay the price. In many cases, small businesses, like the convenience stores many of our members own and operate, have been forced to close."

Yesterday's budget reaffirms Ontario's 2012 budget commitments to strengthen law-enforcement measures including:

• increased fines for those convicted of offences related to illegal tobacco
• forfeiture of items seized as evidence of a contravention of the Tobacco Tax Act
• strengthening other provisions to improve the effectiveness of the statute in meeting with the government's commitments

The Ontario government is also calling on the Harper Government to stop the proposed move of the Cornwall Border, which has been identified as a high traffic smuggling area.

"We encourage Premier Wynne and her government to follow through on these commitments immediately. We fully support the Ontario Government in their efforts on this matter and the OKBA is committed to working with the government in addressing contraband tobacco in Ontario," added Hyuk Byung Kwon.

SOURCE: Ontario Korean Businessmen's Association

Don Cha

General Manager

416-789-7891

[email protected]