Barrett to introduce Tobacco Tax Reduction Act

Queen’s Park – Tax cuts at the provincial and federal levels along with education and enforcement are the recipe for success in the fight against illegal tobacco, according to Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

Over the past few weeks Barrett has been working on crafting his own legislation – the Tobacco Tax Reduction Act – that would see tobacco taxes cut by one-third from 12.35 cents per stick to 8.23 cents.

“This would be done on the understanding that the federal government would follow suit,” Barrett said. “I look to the spirit of cooperation there was in 1994 when the Federal government, along with five provinces, slashed taxes and shut down hundreds of smoke shacks overnight. It’s up to both levels of government to address the criminal networks that have set up shop across the country.”

At almost 50 per cent of all tobacco sold, Ontario has the highest percentage of illegal tobacco of almost anywhere in the world. Barrett said that today Ontario’s world-recognized tobacco control policies are no longer working and the province has gone from first to last in this respect. Further, the Ontario government has spent over $13 million over three years on Smoke-Free Ontario and $7 million on smoking cessation programs, and yet there is evidence, at least locally, that smoking has gone up 33 per cent.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that people are accessing cheap smokes close to home from smoke shacks or trunks of cars,” Barrett said. “All the while, corner stores who rely on smokers to pick up other items, are experiencing a decrease in traffic to the point where many of them have had to permanently close their doors.”

Barrett said the fate of his legislation rests with the Ontario government and added that this would be a great opportunity for Mr. McGuinty to do something right for the people of Caledonia, for hard-working corner store operators, and tobacco farmers.

“For over three-and-a-half years the people of Caledonia have witnessed government inaction on a land dispute that many realize is as much about tobacco as it is about land – it’s time Mr. McGuinty do something right for this community,” Barrett said. “In the process he’ll be lending a helping hand to corner stores who ask for proof of age as well as restoring public safety to so many communities.”

Barrett’s Tobacco Tax Reduction Act – a Private Member’s Bill -- will be debated September 24, 2009.

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For more information please contact MPP Barrett at 519-428-0446, 905-765-8413 or 1-800-903-8629