Tobacco Smuggling

Smuggled tobacco is a huge source of revenue for criminal organizations involved that use the profits to finance illicit activities, drug trafficking, sale of weapons and growth of their networks. Buying smuggled tobacco is illegal.

For young people, smuggled tobacco is increasingly easy to access in school yards as a contraband cigarette pack costs less than chewing gum! Studies performed on cigarette butts found in secondary school yards in Québec shows that a growing number of underage students have access to smuggled tobacco. 

For store owners, it means the loss of a legal and important source of income (30% to 50% of their income is derived from the sale of tobacco products), which creates jobs and maintains an essential service to the community.