Ontario’s Ministry of Finance Seizes Illegal Tobacco Products

Ontario’s Ministry of Finance reported that more than 10 million unmarked cigarettes and over 1.5 million grams (1,500 kilograms) of unmarked fine cut tobacco have been seized in recent enforcement actions.

According to the Ministry, these seizures are part of activities intended to enforce provincial laws concerning the sale and possession of unmarked tobacco products. The Ministry stated that it is illegal under the Tobacco Tax Act to possess or sell unmarked tobacco in Ontario.

Penalties for violating the Tobacco Tax Act can include fines, imprisonment, or both, as outlined by the Ministry. Seized tobacco products are typically destroyed following the completion of all legal proceedings, according to the Ministry’s information.

No specific towns or locations relating to the seizures were identified in the Ministry’s announcement.