Media Advisory - Anti-Contraband Spokesperson To Visit Communities Along Ontario's "Contraband Trail"

OTTAWA, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ -

Who:	Gary Grant, National Spokesperson for the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT)
What:	Grant will be visiting communities along the 401, Ontario's "Contraband Trail", to meet with affected businesses and community decision makers to discuss the challenges of illegal cigarettes. He is also available for media interviews.
Why:	Contraband tobacco is a major problem in Canada, particularly in Ontario. Illegal cigarettes fund the activities of more than 175 criminal gangs, including drugs, guns, and human smuggling. Contraband's low price and easy availability also makes it a prime source of youth smoking. The NCACT believes that meaningful action is needed by the provincial and federal governments to stop this problem.
When:	September 13^th-14^th. Mr. Grant will be available for interviews in the following communities at the times listed.
	Windsor: September 13^th, 8:00AM-10:30AMEssex: September 13^th, 11:30AM-12:30AM
	Leamington: September 13^th, 1:00PM-2:00PM
	Chatham-Kent: September 13^th, 3:15PM-4:30PM
	Kitchener: September 14^th, 8:00AM-11:00AM
	Guelph: September 14^th, 12:00PM-1:30PM
	Hamilton: September 14^th, 2:45PM-4:00PM

About NCACT
The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco is a Canadian advocacy group formed with the participation of businesses, organizations and individuals concerned about the growing danger of contraband cigarettes.  NCACT members share the goals of working together to educate people and urge government to take quick action to stop this growing threat.

The members of the NCACT include: Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CCSA), Retail Council of Canada, Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers Council, National Convenience Stores Distributors Association (NACDA), Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Frontier Duty Free Association, Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers, Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec (FCCQ), Conseil du Patronat du Québec (CPQ), l'Association des marchands dépanneurs et épiciers du Québec (AMDEQ), Toronto Crime Stoppers, National Citizen's coalition, The Customs & Immigration Union (CIU), the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

SOURCE: National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco

For further information:

To arrange interviews with Mr. Grant, please contact:
Michael Powell, NCACT Public Affairs
Telephone: [phone] (cell); 1-866-566-5961 (office)
Email: [e-mail]