Tobacco Tax Increase Could Push Youth to Smoke
Editor’s Note: The WCSA illegal tobacco study is available here.
From: KelownaNow
The Western Convenience Store Association (WCSA) is worried that a tobacco tax increase will do more harm than good. The association, a not-for-profit trade association representing convenience store retailers operating in Western Canada, is cautioning Financial Minister Michael De Jong and the Clark government against including a tobacco tax increase in next week’s provincial budget.
“If the B.C government wants to keep our communities safe and keep tobacco out of the hands of youth, they will not raise taxes in the budget next week.” said Andrew Klukas, President of the WCSA. “We are hopeful they will instead allocate additional resources to help recoup lost government revenue as an increase will continue to drive customers to the underground market.”
