A group representing owners of convenience stores says a new poll has found that higher taxes on cigarettes are playing a role in store closures.
The group says contraband cigarettes cost about $2, whereas legal cigarettes cost around $8 or $9.
They say the price discrepancy is creating small economies of contraband trade within schools where students want to buy the cheaper cigarettes. According to them, this is also cutting down on foot traffic to the stores.
They say their survey reveals the decreased foot traffic has Loto Quebec removing machines from the stores as well.
It wants the government to lower the cost of legal cigarettes to combat the illicit trade.
"We know that at half price about 75 per cent of the smokers--that's what our survey says--are going back to legal cigarettes. That will kill the distribution networks," said Michel Gadbois, who is with the Canada Association of Depanneurs.
