We Don't Allow Funding Of Terrorists Organizations

So why would anyone suggest we allow indians to collect taxes on cigarettes. Instead of allowing them to make more money we should be treating them in the same manner we treat terrorists organization, motorcycle gangs, organized crime, etc.

Let natives tax smokes: Report
Anti-smoking group recommends Ottawa step in to curb boom in illegal cigarettes
December 19, 2006
Robert Cribb
Dale Brazao
staff reporters

Letting native reserves keep cigarette taxes would help stamp out Ontario's multi-billion dollar black market tobacco trade, anti-smoking advocates said yesterday.

In fact, the price gap between legal and illegal cigarettes – more than $40 a carton in taxes – would disappear if governments let reserves impose their own taxes and keep them, said Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

"We think it's the way to go in ensuring that cheap cigarettes are no longer available on reserves," Callard said as the report was released at a Parliament Hill news conference.

The call to government action came two days after a Saturday Star investigation that showed illegal cigarettes are widely available across the city for less than half the price of the legal product.

The report by the anti-smoking advocacy group contained a range of actionable options to combat the province's trade in black market cigarettes. Besides allowing native groups to levy their own taxes, the report recommended:

# Revoking the licences of cigarette makers that supply the black market.

# Choking off the supply of materials such as cigarette paper, filters and tobacco to the black market.

# Installing tamper-proof, scannable labels on legal cigarettes to ensure all tobacco products on store shelves are sold according to the law.

Provincial officials acknowledged yesterday that cigarette smuggling is a serious problem.

"We have to be more vigilant in cracking down on these people who are preying on young people and shortening their lives," said Jim Watson, provincial minister of health promotion.

"They are bottom-feeders trying to make a quick buck and, in doing so, putting at risk the health of our young people – and it angers me."

He said the recommendations from Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada "merit our serious consideration."

A spokesperson with the provincial finance ministry, which is responsible for investigating and seizing contraband, said the department takes the issue "very seriously" and is reviewing the report's recommendations.

Officials with Revenue Canada did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

Keys to candy store......