Contraband study

A new study has found illegal cigarettes are fairly common near at least two high schools in Kitchener.

A recent study by the Canadian Convenience Stores Association examined cigarette butts found outside Eastwood Collegiate and found the rate of illegal tobacco use was 38 per cent.

The rate was lower at Bluevale Collegiate, at 18 per cent.

In Guelph, the association says the rate of illegal cigarette use near College Heights Secondary School was 44 per cent.  

Steve Tennant with the Ontario Convenience Stores Association says contraband smokes are more dangerous because sometimes they contain ingredients like feces.

They are much cheaper than cigarettes purchased at a convenience store.

The local study is part of the association's nationwide campaign to get the government to eliminate contraband tobacco.

Last Friday, the federal government announced plans to curb contraband tobacco sales by creating an RCMP-led unit to fight the problem and an advertising campaign to raise awareness of the issue.