Taxation

While the Ontario Campaign concentrates most of its efforts on the promotion of smoke-free policies, we also work on a number of other tobacco control issues, notably taxation, smuggling, and sales and marketing to youth.

Taxation, perhaps the single most effective means of reducing tobacco consumption and prevalence, is a widely-utilized strategy, and one where a great deal of evidence about its effectiveness is available.

The following are a selection of documents on cigarette taxation in Canada:

A Win-Win: Enhancing Public Health and Public Revenue. Recommendations to Increase Tobacco Taxes. A Submission to the Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance. January 2004.

Tobacco Control: Myths and Realities. The Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco. Michael Perley, Director. February 2003.

Cigarette prices along the Canada-U.S. border. The Non-Smokers' Rights Association. The map was last updated May 1, 2007.

Smoking and the price of cigarettes in Ontario. Ontario Tobacco Research Unit. May 2002.

“Compilation of Selected Evidence Regarding the Impact of Higher Tobacco Prices on Tobacco Use: A Submission Prepared for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.” Canadian Cancer Society. September 2001.

• Copies available at the National Office of the Canadian Cancer Society.
  10 Alcorn Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M4V 3B1
  Tel: 416.961.7223

Tobacco Taxes and Prices in Canada. David Sweanor, Senior Legal Counsel. Smoking and Health Action Foundation. February 1998.

The Relationship of Cigarette Prices and No-Smoking Bylaws to the Prevalence of Smoking in Canada. Stephens T, et al. American Journal of Public Health. September 1997; 87(9): 519-1521.

The 1994 Tobacco Tax Cuts: Revenue Impact and Policy Alternatives. Heather Selin, Policy Consultant. Non-Smokers' Rights Association. 1996.