Smoking in all public places banned on May 31, 2006
Higher taxes = fewer smokers

Tobacco taxes in Ontario went up in February. Smokers who have made a new year’s resolution to quit now have an additional incentive. Announcing the increase, Finance Minister wight Duncan said, “We are increasing tobacco taxes as the next step in our plan to move toward a smoke-free Ontario. Young people are especially sensitive to price increases, and anything we can do to get them to stop – or not start in the first place – is a good idea.”

The $1.25-per-carton tobacco tax increase supports the Smoke- Free Ontario Act, which prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces in Ontario, effective May 31, 2006. It is the next step in bringing Ontario up to the national average of tobacco taxes.

In addition to higher tobacco taxes, additional resources have been assigned to enforcing the Tobacco Tax Act. Seizures of contraband tobacco have increased five-fold in the past year, and convictions have increased by 36 per cent.

In October 2004, Ontario changed the way it marks tobacco products to make it easier to detect contraband tobacco. The province has been participating in and contributing to the federal review of tobacco enforcement measures, and endorses the concept of a national strategy.

“Tobacco use is a major health issue, but it also has an important financial impact,” Duncan said. “It costs taxpayers an estimated $1.7 billion a year in health care spending to treat diseases directly caused by tobacco.”

For more information visit the Ministry of Finance web site.