This is not theoretical leakage
Alberta’s tobacco tax page says law enforcement officers have been required since December 11, 2025 to report all contraband tobacco seizures to Tax and Revenue Administration, with reporting requested within 72 hours, according to Alberta tobacco tax guidance.
A current public-safety signal
CTV Calgary reported on September 24 that RCMP charged four people after a Calgary and Airdrie investigation involving more than $3 million worth of contraband tobacco, drugs, and stolen property. A vaping bill should not ignore the enforcement context around untaxed and illegal nicotine channels.
The tax-fairness ask
- Model tax leakage before restricting legal channels.
- Report illegal-channel enforcement alongside any Bill 208 implementation.
- Protect compliant retailers from being undercut by sellers outside the tax system.