CRA takes measures to prevent sale of illegal cigarettes

The Canada Revenue Agency strengthens its measures to prevent the sale of illegal tobacco products

The Canada Revenue Agency announced that in cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Revenu Québec, the CRA has launched an awareness campaign on the effects of the sale of illegal tobacco products. The campaign reflects the federal government's desire to combat non-compliance with tobacco tax legislation.

"Tobacco contraband activities result in a major loss in revenue, both federally and provincially, and compromise fiscal integrity and government initiatives" according to John McCallum, Minister of National Revenue.

The February 2005 federal budget allocated eight million dollars to the CRA over five years to implement key initiatives at three different stages of the tobacco production and distribution system: enhancements to the stamping and marking regime for manufactured tobacco products, increased audit activities for tobacco manufacturers, and increased monitoring and tracking of raw leaf tobacco.

For the full news release, visit the CRA's web site at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2005/sep/nr050927-e.html