News
Minister Mike Ellis needs to address contraband tobacco issue to curb big crime problem in Alberta
EDMONTON, AB, April 5, 2023 /CNW/ - 68 percent of Albertans agree that crime, violence and social disorder are serious, growing problems, according to a recent Leger poll.
Alberta's convenience store owners are not surprised by this new research, and have been raising alarm about how contraband tobacco has increased crime in Alberta communities.
It is well known that contraband tobacco is often one of many illegal substances that illegal traffickers are selling.
Alberta convenience retailers: Contraband tobacco represents a major tax loss for our province that could go to healthcare spending instead
EDMONTON, AB, March 28, 2023 /CNW/ - Alberta's retailers are speaking up about the significant decline in projected tobacco tax revenue for 2022-23, from Alberta's budget projection of $760 million to $565 million.
"We believe the loss in tax revenue due to illegal tobacco trafficking can be used to help address challenges Alberta is facing in delivering vital public services to Albertans. One prime example would be the healthcare system where Alberta is below the national average in healthcare spending."
There is a strong incentive to recover lost tobacco tax revenue especially with the news that Alberta trails below the national average in health-care spending while healthcare administration costs are on the rise.
"It's lawlessness: Alberta Retailers fear for their livelihoods and their safety"
EDMONTON, AB, March 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Alberta's convenience store owners are speaking up about how contraband tobacco has changed their business and their communities.
"Illegal tobacco has taken over this town. It's lawlessness. My sales have gone down by 50%. People just buy cigarettes off the street now. The government dropped the ball on this one, they created this problem..."
*New* Newspaper Ad!
March 13, 2023 - Alberta Retailers release newspaper Ad focused on dangerous contraband tobacco problem. You can download it here to post in your store!
Budget 2023: AB Retailers Say More Needs to Be Done to Stop Serious Contraband Problem
EDMONTON, AB, March 2, 2023 /CNW/ - In response to the Provincial Budget delivered yesterday by Danielle Smith's government, Alberta's independent convenience retailers are pleased to see more investments being made to help municipalities fight organized crime and serious crime but believe more needs to be done to specifically address the serious problem of contraband tobacco in Alberta.
Budget 2023 injects funds to increase public security in Alberta communities, which is a welcome first step. Alberta's convenience retailers believe that there is a need to create a framework for increased penalties and better enforcement when it comes to preventing contraband tobacco from growing further in Alberta.
Contraband tobacco is a growing public safety problem in Alberta and the government should address it now
EDMONTON, AB, Feb. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - In response to the growing number of contraband seizures by law enforcement in Alberta, Alberta's Convenience Store retailers encourage the Government of Alberta to take action against illicit tobacco trafficking in the province.