Now, Pay $175 for Possessing Illegal Smokes in Ontario

In a bid to boost the number of non-smokers in the region, the government officials of Ontario have called for stricter measures on public smoking.

As per the new guideline that has been issued just this week, anyone found with contraband cigarettes in their possession will have to pay a hefty fine between $100 and $500.

Available at low costs, these cigarettes are a hit among young smokers. According to the findings of a recent study, these illegal contraband tobaccos account for more than 40% of those smoked by high schoolers.

Most of the times illegal cigarettes are being Marlboro brand or Winston cigarettes.

The proposal has been welcomed by the unions and the groups alike, with many feeling that the fine can prompt people to stop buying the illegal cigarettes.

The anti-smoking groups have supported the new legislation and have asserted that if a person will have to shell out $175 fine for a $15 cigarette, he will never again think of doing that.

It is, however, maintained that along with imposition of new rules and fines on the smokers, the government should also tight its grip on the cigar manufacturers.

Commending the decision, the Revenue Minister, Sophia Aggelonitis during a recent media briefing said: “Illegal tobacco is a complicated issue; it is an issue that is multi-ministerial, multi-jurisdictional. We're working with all our partners, and it is important for us to take this first step”.