Â鶹´«Ã½AV

Skip to content

Reserve tobacco limit in effect

The new lower limits on tax-free tobacco sold on reserve took effect on July 1, 2010.

The new lower limits on tax-free tobacco sold on reserve took effect on July 1, 2010.

As announced in the March, 2010 Budget, the amount of tobacco that First Nations individuals may purchase tax-free on reserve is being reduced from three cartons to one carton per week with provisions to purchase additional tobacco for cultural and ceremonial purposes.

The limit amounts to a weekly tax-free consumption rate of 200 cigarettes, or an equivalent amount of other tobacco products, representing slightly more than a package of 25 cigarettes per day.

Packages of cigarettes and fine cut tobacco that are purchased tax-free on-reserve by Status Indians will have peach-coloured tear-tape markings, known by the industry as black stock tobacco, to distinguish them from the beige-coloured tear-tapes used on tobacco products that are sold with tax included.

Black stock tobacco may not be sold to individuals who are ineligible for a tax exemption.

"These changes are part of the government's overall tobacco strategy to help reduce tobacco usage in Saskatchewan," Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer said.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks