Jump to full article: Montreal Gazette (ca), 2009-06-28
Author: TERRINE FRIDAY, The Gazette
Intro: Contentions that cigarette prices have no effect on tobacco consumption are wrong, says Louis Gauvin, co-director of the Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac.
Léger Marketing conducted a study last month for the Canadian Convenience Stores Association. In its report, which was made public this month, association vice-president Michel Gadbois says cheaper cigarettes won't influence the number of people who get hooked on tobacco.
For months, dépanneur owners have complained that cigarette prices, and the taxes on tobacco products, are too high and are hurting their bottom line.
Calling the study, conducted in 25 Quebec cities, biased, Gauvin this week questioned who Gadbois's employer really is.
"We believe that Gadbois is doing more work for the tobacco industry by suggesting lower taxes," Gauvin said. "If a convenience store is having financial difficulties, it's not solely because taxes on tobacco are too high." Gadbois says he stands by the study's findings.
"(The coalition) is just complaining that we're using arguments that they may or may not like," he said.
Gadbois also said younger smokers are more likely to buy contraband cigarettes, because they are cheaper.
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