• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Sparly Christmas songbirds

DIY Glittery Christmas Songbirds

cibc run for the cure; breast cancer; mississauga

Breast Cancer: Everyone Has a Story

What to Wear to a White Party

What To Wear To A White Party

Sports for Kids

Top 10 Benefits of Sports-Based Extracurricular Activities

More Posts from this Category

Life In Pleasantville

Food, Travel, Life

  • Home
  • Travel
    • Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
    • Caribbean
      • Jamaica
    • Europe
      • France
      • Holland
      • Italy
    • Mexico
    • RVing
    • Tahiti
    • United States
      • California
      • The Florida Keys
      • New York City
  • Food & Drink
  • Life
    • Divorce
    • Humour
    • Parenting
  • TV & Radio
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Travel
    • Canada
      • Ontario
      • Quebec
    • Caribbean
      • Jamaica
    • Europe
      • France
      • Holland
      • Italy
    • Mexico
    • RVing
    • Tahiti
    • United States
      • California
      • The Florida Keys
      • New York City
  • Food & Drink
  • Life
    • Divorce
    • Humour
    • Parenting
  • TV & Radio

Three Simple Actions You Can Take to Stop Illegal Tobacco

illegal cigarettes

By //  by Candace Sampson

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

There’s nothing I take more pride in as a blogger than using my voice to raise awareness about issues that affect public safety. Last November I joined other bloggers across Ontario to let my readers know about the dangers illegal cigarettes posed. Admittedly before the campaign started, I was unaware of how much damage this $75 million dollar crime was causing each year.

Stop illegal Tobacco

Most Ontarians didn’t know that the illegal tobacco trade was fueling gun and drug trafficking. They didn’t know that illegal tobacco was helping to get guns into the hands of gang members, and funding terrorism efforts. Unfortunately, this was a case where ignorance was definitely not bliss. Innocent bystanders are often the victims of such criminal activity and Ontario was suffering because of it.

Almost one year later the tables are turning. As a result of the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco advocacy actions, the illegal tobacco trade is taking a hit. As a mom, this means I can feel better about the safety of my children growing up in Ontario; as a citizen, it proves that our voices can be powerful.

Still, there is work to be done.

According to the RCMP, over 175 organized crime groups are involved in the illegal tobacco market in Canada. And 74% of these groups were also involved in the drug trafficking and/or weapons trafficking. Through awareness though, and tips from the public, police are cracking down. Consider this bust that happened in March.  Police confiscated more than 52,800 kg of tobacco with a street value of $13.5 million, in addition to a variety of illegal drugs. That kind of bust hurts these organizations.

Watch this short video to find out exactly how the profits from illegal tobacco sales funds criminal activity.

We need to drive even more awareness to this issue and so I’m back with three simple actions you can take to help stop the flow of illegal tobacco.

  • If you smoke or know someone who smokes, think about where your money is going when you buy contraband tobacco. 99.9% of people wouldn’t buy illegal cigarettes if they knew it was putting guns into the hands of criminals.
  • If you see illegal tobacco products or people selling illegal tobacco products, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
  • Help raise awareness by sharing this post on your social channels using the #stopillegaltobacco hashtag. Follow the hashtag to stay informed. Follow @stopcontraband on Twitter and Stop Illegal Tobacco on Facebook.

If we can make this big of an impact in the flow of illegal tobacco in just under a year, imagine how much we can accomplish in two!

This post is sponsored by the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco. I have received compensation for my involvement in this campaign; however, all opinions on this post are strictly my own.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Tweet

Related

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Living, Sponsored Posts Tagged With: effects of illegal tobacco, how to stop illegal cigarettes, illegal tobacco, tobacco crime

About Candace Sampson

Candace is founder and editor-in-chief of Life in Pleasantville which isn't half as fancy as it sounds. You can find her sharing travel stories on What She Said Radio and on CTV Ottawa Morning Live.

Previous Post: « Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Avocado Appetizer
Next Post: Travel Wales & England for the Family Adventure of Your Life Conwy, Wales»

Primary Sidebar

Connect With Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Connect with Me on Facebook

Connect with Me on Facebook

La Dolce Vita

No-Bake Lemon Mousse Cheesecake

Apple Crumble with Toffee Sauce

no fail shortbread cookies

No Fail Shortbread Cookies

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Now You Know

Back to School Fashion Trends for Teens

We're nearing the end of summer and that means it's time for back to school shopping. If you're the parent of a teen though, you know that this is an especially trying time of year. We're here to …

The Dos and Don’ts To Avoid Getting Burned On Facebook

I know what you had for dinner. Your kids are getting so big. Love your new hair cut. I don’t need to actually interact with you in person— it’s all right there on Facebook. Facebook keeps us connected—at least on …

food allergies during the holidays

Food Allergies During the Holidays – 7 Easy Things To Help Everyone Survive (Literally)

You would think that after six years of living with food allergies, we've got it all down pat. But one can be a little too complacent and too trusting. We ended up spending Thanksgiving in the ER because we assumed, and …

walking dogs for a living, dog sitting on human

I Let My Life Go To The Dogs And Found Joy In The Process

In the spring of 2016, I read the book The Happiness Equation and to say it changed my life would be an understatement. The message of the book resonated with me deeply, especially when it emphasized doing things that …

sustainability without sacrifice

Sustainability Without Sacrifice – Wine, Lobster & Other Creature Comforts

*This post is co-sponsored by Nobilo Wines and The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and I have been compensated for this post. All opinions remain mine Saving the planet is no longer a rallying cry for hippies, …

Travel Young – Why You Should & How to Do It

Why You Should Travel Young And How to Do It You know those carefree days when you can live off your parents’ income and it’s perfectly normal and perfectly acceptable? Well, I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but …

More Posts from this Category

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Contact
0 shares
 

Loading Comments...