EDMONTON – An organization that represents convenience store owners wants the Alberta government to crack down on the sale of illegal tobacco.
The group says a study it commissioned suggests high rates of contraband tobacco use across the province.
The Western Convenience Stores Association says the study done in September examined discarded cigarette butts at 49 locations and found an average rate of illegal tobacco use of about 10 per cent.
Association president Andrew Klukas says contraband cigarettes are sold without taxes, health warnings or checks of a buyer’s age.
Klukas says sales of cheaper illegal tobacco hurt the bottom line of retailers who sell cigarettes that are fully taxed.
The association, which represents more than 2,400 convenience store retailers in Alberta, wants stronger anti-contraband legislation and more enforcement.
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