B.C. tobacco policy racist - retailers

Quota system leaves retailers without stock

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The newly formed Intertribal Retailers Association in British Columbia is calling for the repeal of a provincial tobacco policy its member believe is racist.

The Tobacco Marking Program, designed as a control device to stop the sale of tax-exempt tobacco products to non-exempt users, was deemed racially segregationist by the association. The group has developed a position paper that it says backs up the claim the program is racist, said spokesman Arthur Manuel.

The program would see a green tear strip on cigarette packages intended for sale to non-Indian consumers and a clear strip on cigarettes sold to tax-exempt consumers, said Manuel. If a green tear strip pack is sold tax-exempt, a First Nations retailer could have his permit to sell tobacco products suspended or cancelled.

What the Ministry of Finance is doing is introducing the practice of segregation into our Indian reserve stores, writes Manuel in a First Nations business bulletin he publishes.

"This policy will not effect off-reserve retailers therefore the ugly sight of racially segregated counters will only appear in our communities," the bulletin continues.

Manuel insists the program will limit the retailers' freedom of choice on racial grounds and cause substantial inventory confusion. He said store owners would have to carry two inventories, one for Indian people and one for non-Indians. This is unwelcome interference in the economies of Indian communities.

The Tobacco Marking Program was to go into effect May 1, but provincial Finance Minister Elizabeth Cull agreed to a three-month moratorium on the program after hearing Native concerns. She agreed to work with First Nations retailers to design a better system.

Manuel is responsible for developing the retailers' position paper and hopes to have a meeting with Cull where he can express Native concerns.

In the meantime, the retailers want a three-month extension on the moratorium so they can further develop their case against the program, said Manuel.

Other issues of concern to the retailers include the quota system the province uses to control the sale of tax-exempt tobacco products.

"It's inadequate at best," said Manuel. the province doesn't take into account special events like sports competitions and powwows when deciding on the quota. Often shelves are left standing empty for as many as two weeks, said Manuel. This has serious economic impact on the community.