The Ontario government amended the Tobacco Tax Act in May 2017 to create rules including offences and penalties related to the import, possession, sale and delivery of cigarette filter components in Ontario. These new measures were introduced to reduce the supply of cigarette filter components to unlicensed tobacco manufacturers in the province.
The discussion paper explains the new requirements and provides information on the development of the regulation to support the amendments. It provides general information only and does not replace the Tobacco Tax Act and its regulations.
If you import, possess, sell or deliver cigarette filter components, it is important that you read this. Please contact the Ministry of Finance if you have questions or concerns.
Importing and Possessing Cigarette Filter Components
Effective January 1, 2018, the government is imposing restrictions on the import, possession, sale and delivery of cigarette filter components to tobacco manufacturers registered under the Tobacco Tax Act, except for any exemptions prescribed under the regulation.
The regulation will place restrictions on the sale and delivery of cigarette filter components in Ontario. It will also establish offences and penalties for anyone who imports and possesses cigarette filter components without holding a manufacturer’s registration certificate, or sells and delivers these components to unregistered manufacturers.
Additionally, ministry officials will be able to seize cigarette filter components from people who are not in compliance with the act and its regulations.
The minister will have the authority to prescribe exceptions to the import and possession requirements.
Regulation Development
To support recent amendments to the act, the ministry has posted a summary of the regulatory proposal and draft regulation, as well as a brief discussion paper, on the Ontario Regulatory Registry website. It will be available until November 13, 2017 for comment and input from interested parties.
The draft regulation and discussion paper can be accessed at Ontario Regulatory Registry - select Current Proposals.
Input can also be provided by email to MOF-PPAB@ontario.ca or by mail to:
Ministry of Finance
Program Policy and Analytics Branch
7 Queen’s Park Crescent, 2nd floor
Toronto ON M7A 1Y7
To contact the ministry
Please contact the ministry at 1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297) and when prompted, say ‘tobacco’ or 1-800-263-7776 for teletypewriter (TTY).
Email: MOF-PPAB@ontario.ca
