WINNIPEG — The rate of illegal tobacco across Manitoba is growing, according to a new study commissioned by the Western Convenience Stores Association (WCSA).
The contraband tobacco study looked at discarded cigarette butts at 30 sites throughout Manitoba to see if illegal cigarettes were being purchased and smoked.
The average rate of illegal tobacco uses at sites tested was 14.7 per cent, which is up two percentage points since 2015.
Contraband tobacco is sold without mandated health warnings on packages and without age-verification checks.
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“Illegal tobacco is once again a growing problem in Manitoba,” Andrew Klukas, president of the WCSA said. “Illegal tobacco is easily accessible at schools and in communities across the province.”
Rates growing in high schools
The study found Brandon City Hall had the highest illegal tobacco usage rate at 27.2 per cent; Elmwood High School in Winnipeg came in second at 25.1 per cent; and Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School in Brandon ranked third at 21.2 per cent.
The study also found access to illegal tobacco near high schools is growing in Manitoba. Of the 11 schools tested, the illegal tobacco rate at high school sites was 17.8 per cent — up from 13.2 per cent for the exact same sites tested last year.
The WCSA is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the interests of over 900 Manitoba convenience store retailers and gas stations.
Samples were gathered between Sept, 25th and Oct. 8th, 2016.
Top 10 Illegal Tobacco sites in Manitoba
- Brandon City Hall
- Elmwood High School
- Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School
- Vincent Massey High School
- Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School
- Dauphin Royal Canadian Legion
- Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute
- Dauphin City Hall
- Brandon Royal Canadian Legion
- Ecole Secondaire Neelin High School
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