Tobacco.org

WAUGH: Commentary- Bring back smoking rooms 

The trouble with zealots is they almost never think about the consequences of their zeal.

And there was no bigger caped crusader than Edmonton Tory MLA Dave Hancock during his brief stint as Ed Stelmach's health minister.

Last November, Hancock hailed his Tobacco Reduction Act as an "important part of our government's wellness agenda."

The legislation banned smoking from all "public places and workplaces" in the province on January 1.

The jury is out on whether Dave's Directive has actually done what it's supposed to - cut the number smokers.

Iris Evans's finance department beancounters certainly don't think so. . . .

Up to 35% of the small trash collected is now made up of butts, he said.

This problem hardly existed when smokers puffed in sealed, ventilated smoking rooms.

Now that Liepert is in charge, is it time to lighten up? Let the nicotine addicts back into smoking rooms where they only have themselves to harm.

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All's quiet in first days of prison smoking ban 

Anti-smoking programs and suspected stashes of tobacco are helping keep Canada's prisons quiet so far this week as a smoking ban came into effect in maximum-security federal penitentiaries across the country.

The Correctional Service of Canada banned indoor smoking in its prisons in 2006, but the new rules mean no more smoking outdoors, as well, for maximum-security inmates since Monday.

Mid-level institutions follow suit on May 20 and minimum-security institutions on June 2.

"There are no incidents to report at this point," said Janine Chown, a Corrections spokeswoman for the region of Ontario. "We're only a day into it, so it may be a bit early to assess the full reaction to the ban."

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RCMP sounds alarm over surge of illegal smokes 

"I think aboriginal communities do not – do not – want to see organized crime flourish in their communities," said Souccar. A 48-page booklet handed out by the RCMP said "the largest source of illegal tobacco in Canada is manufacturing operations in aboriginal territory based on the U.S. side of Akwesasne and Kahnawake in Quebec, and Tyendinaga and Six Nations in Ontario."

The booklet also says police are increasingly seeing counterfeit cigarettes imported from China.

"The current trend of manufacturing, distributing and selling contraband tobacco products ... involves organized crime networks exploiting aboriginal communities and the politically sensitive relationship between these communities and the different levels of government and enforcement agencies, as well as counterfeit tobacco products arriving in Canada mainly from China."

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• IVISON: Just say no to contraband cigarettes 

Stockwell Day launched a new contraband tobacco control strategy yesterday that could only work in Canada: He appealed to Canadians to please, please drive past smoke shacks selling 200 cigarettes in clear, plastic resealable bags for as little as $6 and instead fork over $75-$90 for legal cartons.

"I'm asking individuals to consider that they are contributing to a dangerous pipeline of criminal activity. This is not a victimless crime or a benign activity," the Public Safety Minister said at a press conference.

Mr. Day's appeal to our better angels probably has more chance of success than the rest of the strategy, which consists of dismantling manufacturing facilities, disrupting supply lines and seizing illicit tobacco.

This is because 90% of the contraband seized thus far in Canada originated from factories on the U. S. side of the Akwesasne reserve, which straddles the American and Canadian sides of the St. Lawrence River, and there are few signs that U. S. authorities are anywhere near as enthusiastic about shutting down businesses on Indian land.

There are said to be 13 factories on the Akwesasne-St. Regis Mohawk reserve, churning out millions of cigarettes, which are then loaded into vans by organized criminal gangs . . .

Mr. Day has raised the issue with Michael Chertoff, U. S. Secretary of Homeland Security, but there seems to be no willingness on his part to expend political capital by cracking down on the problem before the tobacco leaves the factories.

It raises the question about the usefulness of the Security and Prosperity Partnership with the United States and all that bilge about smart borders and foiling transnational crime. . . .

If the roles were reversed, and the Americans were losing billions in foregone tax revenue, they would be demanding that we jump -- and we would be asking politely: "How high?" Is it too much for Ottawa to ask that the United States is as good as its promises?

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Butts stop here 

The Conservative government is declaring war on black-market smokes -- a flourishing industry that fuels organized crime and sucks hundreds of millions of dollars from federal tax coffers.

In a joint news conference with the RCMP, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day pledged to choke off suppliers, seize more smokes and shut down illegal manufacturers -- many of them on First Nations reserves. A number of new RCMP hires will be dedicated to the crackdown strategy, and a new public awareness campaign will warn against buying bargain-priced smokes.

"You are actually, in effect, supporting a host of criminal activities that literally lead to destructive activities in your own communities. Destruction and even death, depending on the level of criminal activity you are supporting," he said.

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Ottawa wants to butt out illegal tobacco ring 

The federal government says it wants to crack down on contraband tobacco by targeting illegal smoke manufacturers in First Nations communities, in Ontario and Quebec, where a price war has driven the cost of a carton of cigarettes down to $6, one-tenth the normal retail price.

Federal Public Security Minister Stockwell Day vowed to step up efforts to dismantle cigarette manufacturers and distribution networks flourishing in several parts of the country, notably in the Mohawk communities in Quebec of Kanesatake, Kahnawake and Akwesasne (which straddles Quebec and Ontario).

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Targeting smuggling 

The Ministry of Public Safety plans a more aggressive approach to cutting out the illegal tobacco trade through a new RCMP strategy and task force, announced Minister Stockwell Day Wednesday.

Local RCMP Sgt. Michael Harvey said the most important part of the announcement was the attention it would bring the contraband cigarette and tobacco trade from the politicians and the public.

Harvey said the majority of the illegal tobacco smuggled into Canada makes its way through Akwesasne territory.

“It’s more important in Cornwall than in big cities because the smuggling doesn’t affect them as much,” Harvey said. “Our small population sees the effects more. Two-thirds of the organized crime groups in tobacco smuggling also deal in drug trafficking and one-third engage in violent crime.”

RCMP officials hope to eventually stop the trade of illicit tobacco across the country through the Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy and a multi-jurisdictional task force because Day says tobacco smuggling cannot be seen as a victimless, particularly with the escalation of activity since 2001.

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Quebec and NY to exchange border information 

Quebec and New York have intensified their battle against terrorism and crime, agreeing to exchange information about people who cross their borders.

"That information needs to flow continuously," Michael Balboni, New York's deputy secretary for public safety, told reporters today. "That is what we are doing."

Balboni explained that U.S border authorities already have the names and destinations of everyone crossing from Quebec into New York State. But the border authorities do not communicate that information to police forces in the state. . . .

Dupuis said Quebec is concerned about the illegal flow of weapons and contraband tobacco from south of the border.

The Americans are worried about the smuggling of marijuana and other drugs from Canada.

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Kaiser Foundation Recognize 2008 National Awards for Excellence Winners at Calgary Event 

The Kaiser Foundation has honoured seven outstanding Canadians and organizations selected for this year's National Awards for Excellence (NAE) in the fields of mental health and addictions. . . .

EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH LEADERSHIP: DANIEL MCKENNITT, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

ABORIGINAL HEALTH GROUP, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB

Daniel McKennitt was born in the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation in Manitoba and grew up in Edmonton. Witnessing the devastating effects of problem alcohol and drug use in Aboriginal communities, he entered medical school, determined to help his people. While a medical student at the University of Alberta, he created the university-based Aboriginal Health Group by recruiting other Aboriginal health students from fields of Nursing, Pharmacy and Rehab. He also spearheaded a project involving cultural use of tobacco among Aboriginal youth, raising awareness about traditional uses of tobacco while exposing high smoking rates among Aboriginal youth, and introducing Western smoking prevention tools.

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New federal contraband tobacco enforcement strategy a good start, but more action is needed 

The Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA) reacted positively to the announcement by Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and the RCMP that the government has adopted a new enforcement strategy to tackle the out-of-control problem of contraband tobacco. However they reminded all levels of government that quick action is needed to reign in a criminal trade that's growing exponentially. "For a lot of our members, particularly small family-run convenience stores contraband tobacco is the number one issue facing them. Many get 50%-60% of their sales from the legal sale of tobacco", said Dave Bryans, President of the CCSA. "But beyond the business impact, the speed at which contraband tobacco is being spread by criminals through communities and showing up in places like schools is alarming and should be a reminder to every politician how serious this threat is to families and communities."

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Proposed New Law Would Ban Smoking In Motor Vehicles 

The Ontario government introduced legislation today that, if passed, would ban smoking in motor vehicles with children present. Second-hand smoke in motor vehicles can be up to 27 times more concentrated than in a smoker's home. Children who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer health problems such as sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, and cancer and cardiac disease later in life. Second-hand smoke can also influence a child's ability to reason and understand, and can negatively impact behaviour and attention span.

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• 2008 Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy 

Dear Reader,

The contraband tobacco market is complex and continually evolving. The development of an RCMP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy is the first step in what will be a strategically driven process to tackle the growing illicit contraband tobacco market in Canada.

The RCMP's key concern is the for the increased involvement of organized crime implicated in illegal tobacco activities for monetary gain. The public needs to be aware that profits from illegal tobacco products are also funding other criminal activities, such as drug and gun trafficking. Furthermore, some of these organized crime groups are known to use violence to ensure profit. Be aware that you are funding criminal activity if you are purchasing products that are not sold legitimately. We all have a role to play in combating the contraband tobacco market.

Another disconcerting trend related to the illicit tobacco market is the increasing involvement of youth in contraband tobacco activities for organized crime groups. The lure of easy money and minimal risk is a situation that some can't resist.

It is important that we not only address the supply of, but also, the demand for contraband tobacco. Combating the illegal tobacco market includes targeting those who purchase the illegal products. As such, the overall goal of the Strategy is to nationally reduce the availability of and decrease the demand for contraband tobacco, in turn supporting government health objectives.

Given the broad interest in tobacco-related enforcement, we have spoken with a variety of federal, provincial and Aboriginal partners, non-governmental organizations, academia, industry and key police services. I would like to thank those that participated in the consultation process. While it is always difficult to draw the line at the number of individuals and groups to speak with, the RCMP feels that it has developed its first Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy from a sampling of diverse views across the country.

In closing, the solutions to achieving our goal will not come easily or quickly, but the RCMP is dedicated to ensuring that Canadians continue to enjoy safe and secure communities.

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• 2008-05-07: Minister Day announces an action plan to help stop the trade of illicit tobacco by criminal organizations 

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today joined RCMP Assistant Commissioner Raf Souccar to announce that the Government of Canada is taking action to stop the trade of illicit tobacco in Canada by criminal organizations, by launching the RCMP Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy, as well, a new government task force .

The new strategy will help law enforcement to reduce the availability and demand for contraband tobacco by:

* Dismantling manufacturing facilities;

* Disrupting distribution supply lines; and

* Seizing illicit tobacco and the related proceeds generated by organized crime.

In addition, the government will continue to work closely with those Canadians who have been deeply affected by this illicit trade of tobacco, including tobacco growers and their communities.

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Smokin' crackdown 

The Conservative government is declaring war on black-market smokes -- a flourishing industry that fuels organized crime and sucks hundreds of millions of dollars from federal tax coffers.

In a joint news conference with the RCMP, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day pledged to choke off suppliers, seize more smokes and shut down illegal manufacturers -- many of them on First Nations reserves. A number of RCMP hires will be dedicated to the crackdown strategy, and a new public awareness campaign will warn against buying bargain-priced smokes.

"You are actually in effect supporting a host of criminal activities that literally lead to destructive activities in your own communities -- destruction and even death depending on the level of criminal activity you are supporting," Day said.

Last year, 618,000 cartons of contraband smokes and 28,000 kilograms of loose tobacco were seized -- a 35 per cent rise in the last decade.

Most of the illicit weed is made on New York side of the Akwesasne reserve and smuggled into Canada.

Others illegal cigarettes are produced in Canada, including many on native reserves.

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Native leader warns Ottawa about new tobacco strategy 

A Mohawk leader is warning the Harper government to expect "confrontation" if the RCMP plan more raids on tobacco-manufacturing facilities on aboriginal reserves as part of a new federal enforcement strategy to combat contraband tobacco.

Meanwhile, anti-smoking advocates predict the strategy will fail unless the Canadian government steps up diplomatic pressure on the United States to shut down unlicensed manufacturing facilities south of the border.

The new RCMP strategy, unveiled Wednesday, will focus on dismantling manufacturing facilities, disrupting supply lines and seizing contraband tobacco and the related proceeds reaped by organized crimes.

According to the RCMP, most of the illegal tobacco in Canada originates from a triangle of Mohawk territories straddling Ontario, Quebec and the New York State border: the U.S. side of the Akwesasne reserve, the Kahnawake reserve near Montreal, and the Tyendinaga reserve near Belleville, Ont.

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