The Ontario Convenience Store Association says the province is nearing epidemic levels of contraband tobacco.
A study, commissioned by the association and carried out over the month of September examined more than 18,000 cigarette butts from public smoking areas in regions across the province, with the results being published Tuesday.
An analysis determined that 40 per cent of tobacco products being consumed in Ontario are illegal.
In Hamilton, contraband levels sit at nearly 31 per cent, up from 25 per cent in 2016.
Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario convenience stores association, says the products are mainly coming from production facilities on reserves.
“When you start having production facilities popping up in people’s garages and everywhere on reserves, you know you now have a problem,” he said, adding distribution networks are also problematic. “The RCMP have declared that there are upwards of 200 criminal gangs, delivering contraband throughout Ontario and that is what is funding their activities.”
The study found the highest levels of contraband tobacco to be in North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie at 75 and 86 per cent.
Bryans says the provincial government is aware of the problem but he doesn’t expect to see any action on the issue before the next election.
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