Illegal Smokes, Tax Too High

[Sparki55]

So contraband cigarettes are "cutting into" BC government revenue. BC government has raised the tobacco tax by 44% in 4 years. People who smoke and can't afford the hike will look elsewhere, and people will fill in the gap illegally.

The government website likes to remind us:

A B.C. government website warns that buying and selling illegal tobacco is a crime that comes with fines of three times the tobacco tax, up to $50,000, two years imprisonment and forfeiture of the tobacco products and any licence to sell tobacco products that the seller may have.

So, if you like to smoke, yet can't afford the insane tax, the government will punish you further for your habit.

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/390686 ... nt-revenue

Maybe it's time to leave well enough alone? Banning items doesn't work and overcharging and punishing anyone who finds a cheaper alternative with 2 years in jail and up to $50,000 fines is cruel.

[mikest2]

So contraband cigarettes are "cutting into" BC government revenue. BC government has raised the tobacco tax by 44% in 4 years. People who smoke and can't afford the hike will look elsewhere, and people will fill in the gap illegally.

The government website likes to remind us:

A B.C. government website warns that buying and selling illegal tobacco is a crime that comes with fines of three times the tobacco tax, up to $50,000, two years imprisonment and forfeiture of the tobacco products and any licence to sell tobacco products that the seller may have.

So, if you like to smoke, yet can't afford the insane tax, the government will punish you further for your habit.

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/390686 ... nt-revenue

Maybe it's time to leave well enough alone? Banning items doesn't work and overcharging and punishing anyone who finds a cheaper alternative with 2 years in jail and up to $50,000 fines is cruel.

It also creates and fuels a lucrative black market

[GordonH]

People are going to smoke either by cigarettes or vaps, they will find the cheapest possible.

I say whatever it’s your lungs, enjoy.

[JLives]

I remember something similar happened a while back. I'm pretty sure prices were actually lowered because the black market had such a large chunk of the market. It seemed to work for awhile. Then prices creeped right back up. What does a pack of smokes cost these days?

[Sparki55]

I remember something similar happened a while back. I'm pretty sure prices were actually lowered because the black market had such a large chunk of the market. It seemed to work for awhile. Then prices creeped right back up. What does a pack of smokes cost these days?

$17

[mullyman]

drove from the border through oliver etc, and saw a sign offering "legal" discounted smokes... what's the deall? i thought smokes bought on reserve were for members only (status)

[Babba_not_Gump]

I remember something similar happened a while back. I'm pretty sure prices were actually lowered because the black market had such a large chunk of the market. It seemed to work for awhile. Then prices creeped right back up. What does a pack of smokes cost these days?

That's exactly what happened a few decades ago.

Government priced themselves out of the market and the black market took over. Much of it coming through native reserves in Quebec.

Some bureaucrats are forgetful.

[JLives]

I remember something similar happened a while back. I'm pretty sure prices were actually lowered because the black market had such a large chunk of the market. It seemed to work for awhile. Then prices creeped right back up. What does a pack of smokes cost these days?

That's exactly what happened a few decades ago.

Government priced themselves out of the market and the black market took over. Much of it coming through native reserves in Quebec.

Some bureaucrats are forgetful.

It's exactly the same thing in the cannabis market. Price things too high and black market takes over.

[JLives]

I remember something similar happened a while back. I'm pretty sure prices were actually lowered because the black market had such a large chunk of the market. It seemed to work for awhile. Then prices creeped right back up. What does a pack of smokes cost these days?

$17

Ouch. 2 pack a day smokers will of course look for more economical options.

[BC Landlord]

So contraband cigarettes are "cutting into" BC government revenue. BC government has raised the tobacco tax by 44% in 4 years. People who smoke and can't afford the hike will look elsewhere, and people will fill in the gap illegally.

Only goes to prove that increased taxation never translates into tax revenues proportionally. It only fuels gray economy. And tobacco is not the only example.

[DebSS]

The status cards are for off Reserve purchases. You can go on a Reserve and purchase. The smokes at those two little places by Gallagher Lake sell a carton of smokes from 45 - 55 a carton. Name brand are the more expensive ones. The only places in town of Oliver to buy a carton are the gas stations otherwise, no drug or grocery stores sell them. They do a screaming business at the 2 locations on the Reserve. Both the Canco gas stations up there also are owned by the same person. One is on Reserve with the Tim Hortons and across 97 to the north is not Reserve.

[Ken7]

The status cards are for off Reserve purchases. You can go on a Reserve and purchase. The smokes at those two little places by Gallagher Lake sell a carton of smokes from 45 - 55 a carton. Name brand are the more expensive ones. The only places in town of Oliver to buy a carton are the gas stations otherwise, no drug or grocery stores sell them. They do a screaming business at the 2 locations on the Reserve. Both the Canco gas stations up there also are owned by the same person. One is on Reserve with the Tim Hortons and across 97 to the north is not Reserve.

Correct me if I am wrong, those smoke shops are for the Indiginous card carriers. They are not for me as I do not have a card. The same goes for fuel.

On this topic I found a full package of Du Maurier and was not going to start again. So on my way home stopped by Leon. A group of guys standing on the sidewalk. First thing out of the mouth of one was, want to buy some smokes? I asked how much? He stated $5.00 a pack. I then explained what I was up to. One of the fellows put his head down and said he could use them. I wished them a good day and off I went.

[the truth]

The status cards are for off Reserve purchases. You can go on a Reserve and purchase. The smokes at those two little places by Gallagher Lake sell a carton of smokes from 45 - 55 a carton. Name brand are the more expensive ones. The only places in town of Oliver to buy a carton are the gas stations otherwise, no drug or grocery stores sell them. They do a screaming business at the 2 locations on the Reserve. Both the Canco gas stations up there also are owned by the same person. One is on Reserve with the Tim Hortons and across 97 to the north is not Reserve.

Correct me if I am wrong, those smoke shops are for the Indiginous card carriers. They are not for me as I do not have a card. The same goes for fuel.

On this topic I found a full package of Du Maurier and was not going to start again. So on my way home stopped by Leon. A group of guys standing on the sidewalk. First thing out of the mouth of one was, want to buy some smokes? I asked how much? He stated $5.00 a pack. I then explained what I was up to. One of the fellows put his head down and said he could use them. I wished them a good day and off I went.

pretty much all the smokers i know buy their smokes off the indiginous at a great price,is that even legal, its like them catching their fish and selling it down the street to non natives

[BC Landlord]

... its like them catching their fish and selling it down the street to non natives

They have a trawler and a barge (for the catch) down on Osoyoos lake. Pretty much all that fish end up being sold illegally.

[Ken7]

... its like them catching their fish and selling it down the street to non natives

They have a trawler and a barge (for the catch) down on Osoyoos lake. Pretty much all that fish end up being sold illegally.

That gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing Trudeau is giving them $800 Million dollars for conservation!! Money well spent, maybe they will pay these guys to stay home!

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/c ... n-projects