Why Tobacco Should Remain Legal in Canada
Executive Summary
Tobacco is a very large industry in Canada, providing very large tax revenue for the Canadian government. This paper examines the two sides to the argument; should Tobacco be made illegal in Canada? Is smoking tobacco ruining the Canadian economy? Or should Canadians be given the freedom to chose, and current rulings upheld?
In 2005 Revenues for the government in direct taxation on tobacco amounted to $7.7 Billion. That level has nearly doubled since 2001 when only $4.4 Billion had been collected in tax. The industry also employs a large segment of the workforce; there are currently 4000 people directly employed by tobacco industries, and an estimated 16,000 directly employed in the industry.
Smoking is so much a habit for many, that if it were made illegal, it is almost certain that it would become an underground act, which studies prove will cause an increase in crime. Donations for sporting events also are lost, and the result is smaller functions that have less funding and lower turnouts. Overall Canada is deemed a free country, smoking is deeply ingrained in many national cultures, and illegalizing smoking would lead to an infringement of the freedom to choose.
The negative impacts of smoking, such as the detriment to individual health as well as the Health Care system are also looked into. Estimates place the cost of smoking to $24 Billion Annually and that each pack of cigarettes cost the economy $11 in health care and lost productivity.
Taking all these considerations the conclusion is met that for the long term benefit of the Canadian economy, smoking tobacco should not be made illegal.
Introduction on Why Tobacco Should Remain Legal One reason that tobacco growing, processing, and selling should remain legal is for the collection of taxes. Taxes from tobacco products sold in Canada provide a very liberal revenue stream for the government, economy, and therefore the general public. The taxes collected can be used to fund
Tobacco is a very large industry in Canada, providing very large tax revenue for the Canadian government. This paper examines the two sides to the argument; should Tobacco be made illegal in Canada? Is smoking tobacco ruining the Canadian economy? Or should Canadians be given the freedom to chose, and current rulings upheld?
In 2005 Revenues for the government in direct taxation on tobacco amounted to $7.7 Billion. That level has nearly doubled since 2001 when only $4.4 Billion had been collected in tax. The industry also employs a large segment of the workforce; there are currently 4000 people directly employed by tobacco industries, and an estimated 16,000 directly employed in the industry.
Smoking is so much a habit for many, that if it were made illegal, it is almost certain that it would become an underground act, which studies prove will cause an increase in crime. Donations for sporting events also are lost, and the result is smaller functions that have less funding and lower turnouts. Overall Canada is deemed a free country, smoking is deeply ingrained in many national cultures, and illegalizing smoking would lead to an infringement of the freedom to choose.
The negative impacts of smoking, such as the detriment to individual health as well as the Health Care system are also looked into. Estimates place the cost of smoking to $24 Billion Annually and that each pack of cigarettes cost the economy $11 in health care and lost productivity.
Taking all these considerations the conclusion is met that for the long term benefit of the Canadian economy, smoking tobacco should not be made illegal.
Introduction on Why Tobacco Should Remain Legal One reason that tobacco growing, processing, and selling should remain legal is for the collection of taxes. Taxes from tobacco products sold in Canada provide a very liberal revenue stream for the government, economy, and therefore the general public. The taxes collected can be used to fund
Bibliography: The Social context of smoking: the next frontier in tobacco control? B Poland, K Frohlich, R J Haires, E Mykhalovskiy, M Rock, and R Sparks. Tobacco Control 2006; 15: 59-63, 2004. "Tobacco: Economic Considerations." Coalition Quebecoise pour la controle du tabac. 1999. Feb. 23/2006 http://www.cqct.qc.ca/Documents_docs/DOCU_2000/DOCU_00_10_00_EconomiqueFINAL-ENGreformatte.PDF "Tobacco Sponsorship", February 12th 2006