Imperial Tobacco Canada Responds to the Speech From the Throne

Source from:  CNW Telbec 12/15/2008

Imperial Tobacco Canada is pleased to see that the Harper government has committed to crack down on organized crime and the smuggling of firearms as mentioned in last Wednesday's Speech from the Throne. "We agree with the government when it says that serious offences should be met with serious penalties," said Benjamin Kemball, President and CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada. The illegal sale of tobacco has become an epidemic in Canada where, according to a recent study, 32.7% of all cigarettes purchased in Canada are illegal. This number rises to an alarming 48% of cigarettes purchased in Ontario and 40% in Quebec. In an April 2008 news release, the former Minister of Public Safety, Stockwell Day, stated: "Tobacco trafficking and organized crime often go hand in hand, resulting in other dangerous crimes, such as gun violence and drug smuggling". "The government is on the right track by making organized crime and smuggling a priority, but limiting concerns about smuggling to that of guns is too narrow a focus; and just the tip of the iceberg. With the smuggling of guns also comes smuggling of other products such as drugs and illegal tobacco and I hope that this government can see its way to broadening its focus to all these illegal products" said Mr. Kemball. The facts speak for themselves. According to the RCMP (as stated in the 2008 Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy): - Approximately 105 organized crime groups are known to be involved in the illicit tobacco trade. - 69% of these are also involved in drug trafficking, mainly marihuana and cocaine, and/or weapons trafficking. Imperial Tobacco Canada urges the Harper government to take specific action to cut off an important source of funding for criminal gangs who continue to threaten the safety of Canadian citizens. Enditem