Tobacco maker cites record seizures in push for national nicotine crackdown
Imperial Tobacco Canada is urging the federal government to build a national plan to fight illegal cigarettes and nicotine products. The company points to a string of record seizures across the country, including the largest contraband tobacco bust in Alberta's history.
The Montreal-based firm made the call in a statement released Monday. It says police are seizing more illegal product than ever, but warns that criminal networks are growing and now stretch beyond cigarettes into vapes and nicotine pouches.
In Alberta, the province's gaming and liquor regulator recently announced it's biggest ever contraband seizure. Between June 18 and 23, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Tobacco Enforcement Unit and Edmonton police searched a commercial property in northwest Edmonton. They seized nearly 158,000 cartons of cigarettes. That works out to more than 31.6 million cigarettes, worth over $29 million. The record find was one of several busts in June across Edmonton, Calgary and neighbouring towns.
The regulator says its unit and law enforcement partners has seized about 45 million cigarettes in the first half of the year. That adds up to more than 225,000 cartons, with a retail value above $41 million and $13.5million in lost provincial taxes.
Other provinces have seen big busts too. On July 14, Brant County OPP stopped a vehicle in Ancaster, Ont. and seized about two million unmarked cigarettes. A 36-year-old man from Phelpston, Ont., was charged with trafficking contraband tobacco and related offences. A second person was also charged with using an unauthorized license plate. man from Phelpston, Ont.
READ: Alberta authorities announce major seizure of contraband tobacco
In Yellowknife, RCMP seized 598 tins of nicotine pouches as part of a larger haul of illegal goods worth more than $128,000. Health Canada has also ordered retailers to pull several unauthorized nicotine pouch products from shelves, including Siberia pouches sold at 35 milligrams.
Eric Gagnon, the company's vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs, credited police for the work. He says the seizures also show a deeper problem. "But they also reveal an uncomfortable truth: Canada's illegal nicotine market is growing, adapting and moving well beyond cigarettes," Gagnon said.
Imperial Tobacco wants Ottawa to treat illegal cigarettes, vapes and nicotine pouches as one connected market. It is calling for stronger border enforcement, closer work between police and regulators, action against illegal online sellers, and tougher penalties for traffickers.
The company also wants easier access to legal nicotine products. In Canada, authorized nicotine pouches can only be sold from behind pharmacy counters. Gagnon says that rule does not remove demand. "It helps redirect consumers toward the illicit market," he said.
Imperial Tobacco is Canada's largest tobacco and nicotine company and part of the global BAT group. It sells Zonnic, the only nicotine pouch approved for sale in Canada, and could benefit from looser access rules.
