A study finds that illegal cigarettes now account for 37 of all cigarettes smoked in Ontario
A sharp spike in the use of illegal tobacco in the Windsor area.
That's according to a study conducted on behalf of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association.
It found the level of contraband tobacco in Windsor rose from 15.5% in 2016 to 24% this year.
The study finds that illegal cigarettes now account for 37.2% of all cigarettes smoked in Ontario, up 13% from the previous year - and up 67% from only four years ago.
The study also found Southwestern Ontario showed the highest increase in contraband levels - up from 26% in 2016 to 33.9% this year - and is now the second highest contraband territory in the province.
In terms of locations where illegal cigarettes are found, high schools reported the biggest year-over-year increase in contraband levels - a 5% rise from the previous year.
This marks the tenth year in a row that the OCSA has conducted the contraband study.