From: NACS Online
Group joins with World Health Organization in recognizing global harms of contraband tobacco.
TORONTO – The Ontario Convenience Store Association (OCSA) has announced that it will join with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to work together to end the illicit trade of tobacco products. As part of World No Tobacco Day, organizations worldwide are calling attention to the issue of illicit tobacco, which represents a major global concern from many angles, including health, legal, economic, governance and corruption.
“The OCSA and its retailers have long felt the effects of illegal tobacco,” said OCSA CEO Dave Bryans in a statement leading up to World No Tobacco Day. “We support the WHO’s decision to make it the focus of this year’s campaign and reiterate that the illicit tobacco trade undermines tobacco control policies that help keep tobacco out of the hands of youths, and strengthens corruption.”
In Ontario, contraband tobacco now accounts for roughly one of every three cigarettes purchased. A recent OCSA study showed high schools, hospitals and other public buildings with rates as high as 48%.
