Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
From: [s--m] at [dgp.toronto.edu] (Jos Stam)
Subject: Re: Canada Cuts Cigarette Taxes
Date: 9 Feb 94 18:53:33 GMT

[b--r--e] at [phyto.rsmas.miami.edu] () writes:

>Today's (2/9/94) New York Times reports that Canada has apparently
>slashed cigarette taxes. Taxes previously were very high, and
>smuggling in from the United States led to crime and violence.
>Officials reduced the price to reduce the crime and violence.

Actually the main reason they lowered the tax, is that they were losing a
lot of revenue through taxes. As high as 70% of smokers in Quebec were
buying them illegally and therefore not paying any tax.

>Perhaps they should think about extending this concept.

Actually most provinces and canadians are against the tax decrease. Especially
here in Ontario, people are used to the "semi-prohibition" and think it
works.

>-- 
>Charlie Byrne * University of Miami * Div of Marine Biology and Fisheries
>4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 * Voice: (305) 361-4705
>Usual disclamers apply.

ciao,
Jos