From: Toronto Sun
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Ontario has one of the worst illegal tobacco crises in the world today.
Globally, illegal tobacco products account for about 1-in-10 cigarettes smoked.
But in Ontario, contraband tobacco now accounts for a shocking 1-in-3 cigarettes purchased.
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It is not a victimless crime: The RCMP estimates about 175 criminal gangs use profits from the sale of illegal tobacco to fund other gang activities, including guns, drugs and human smuggling.
Cheap, illegal tobacco products draw in young smokers and help get them started because of a dangerous mix of low prices and easy access, without the need to check I.D.
