409 replies to this topic

[todd]

I've seen a lot of people around town smoking tobacco pipes since the no smoking bylaw went into effect do they think they found a loophole? As the sign only shows a cigarette as imagery.

Now they put a pot leaf on it, hilarious having cannabis leaves literally plastered all over the CRD. Not sure which way that is productive.

[Nparker]

Vilify tobacco while "destigmatizing" street-level opioids. We do indeed live in strange times.

[todd]

Or is that a maple leaf? How much did that cost?

Edited by todd, 09 December 2021 - 10:09 AM.

[todd]

Vilify tobacco while "destigmatizing" street-level opioids. We do indeed live in strange times.

Colonial.

[Nparker]

Colonial.

And proud of it.

[todd]

“Just Say No”

[Victoria Watcher]

Interesting paid advertorial in the TC:

 

 

 

 

It’s time to tackle organized crime’s best kept secret: B.C.’s booming contraband market

 

Sales of illicit tobacco are used to fund organized crime, while shorting the government millions in potential tax revenue

 

 

https://www.timescol...onsored-content

 

 

“With contraband cigarettes, there’s a direct connection to organized crime,” says Danny Fournier, who heads up the illicit trade prevention division with Rothmans, Benson & Hedges (RBH). Fournier spent over 25 years in law enforcement specializing in organized crime investigations with the Quebec Provincial Police, where he oversaw drug and contraband tobacco enforcement operations. He joined RBH to train and educate officials on the dangers of contraband tobacco.

 

_______________________

It’s no surprise why this illegal industry continues to grow. The profit involved for organized crime groups is staggering; contraband tobacco is eight times more profitable to traffic than cocaine.

 

_________________________

Fournier says that dismantling the illicit market is just as important as regulating the legal one. “It’s like a house, you’re not going to only lock the front door and assume you’re safe,” Fournier says. “Unless you make sure all the windows and doors are locked too, someone will always be able to find their way in.” 

[Matt R.]

There is a lot of truth to this I think.  Never in my life have I actually seen anyone with a pack of 'native smokes' but someone on this island must be selling them as they are becoming very common.

[Mike K.]

You can buy them downtown. You just have to know who to get them from. Different people sell them at different times, in different areas.

I’m not kidding. It’s a well known industry downtown.

[Matt R.]

I have heard similar here. Just like any contraband I guess.