Ontario – On November 20, 2023, the Ministry of Finance conducted an enforcement initiative and seized 8,100,000 unmarked cigarettes. One person was charged with offences under the Tobacco Tax Act.
| Date | Location | Seized |
| November 20, 2023 | Burlington | 8,100,000 unmarked cigarettes |
Facts:
- Cigarettes sold in cartons or packages without Ontario’s yellow stamp are illegal, subject to certain exceptions.
- Cigarettes sold in clear plastic bags are illegal, as is engaging in the tobacco business without the required permits.
- In addition to court-imposed fines for contraventions of the Tobacco Tax Act, businesses and individuals may also be liable to pay civil penalties.
- Since January 2020, Ontario recorded 335 Tobacco Tax Act convictions yielding fines of more than $2.9 million, 27 jail terms, 56 probation terms, and five community service terms.
- The Ministry of Finance offers local law enforcement agencies a grant program to support tobacco investigations within their jurisdiction. Contact TEGP@ontario.ca for more information.