The provincial government should give municipalities the ability to investigate illegal cigarettes, an anti-contraband organization says.
Currently, the RCMP is in charge of all matters dealing with contraband tobacco in Ontario.
The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco says municipal police services should be given the authority to handle similar matters – as is already done in Quebec, where a coalition spokesperson says it’s working well.
“Contraband tobacco is down. The financial aspect of the program is working,” Gary Grant told CTV News.
According to the coalition, one-third of cigarettes purchased in Ontario are contraband – and that portion of the market is found disproportionately often on teens.
