Lung Association Claims Higher Taxes Don't Result In More Illegal Tobacco Use

Higher tobacco taxes don't necessarily translate into more smokers resorting to illegal cigarettes despite what Imperial Tobacco might say. At least that's the contention of the President and C-E-O of the New Brunswick Lung Association, Barb MacKinnon who has seen the numbers. 

MacKinnon tells CHSJ News the provinces with the higher taxes on smokes have a lower percentage of illegal tobacco use. She believes it's because some of that tax revenue from smoking is used for policing to clamp down on illegal tobacco. 

According to 2008 figures, about 26 per cent of all smokers are buying illegal tobacco.