The chamber believes the Smoke Free Ontario Act is unfairly penalizing small business owners.

PHOTO CREDIT - Cornwall Chamber of Commerce

Cornwall - May. 2, 2011 - The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce has turned to local MPP Jim Brownell for help in what it considers to be the "harsh treatment" of small convenience stores.

The chamber believes the Smoke Free Ontario Act is unfairly penalizing small business owners.

"The inadvertent sale of a tobacco products to a minor by an employee in a local convenience store resulted in a conviction under the Act, a fine of $4,000 and a six month prohibition with respect to the sale of tobacco products," said chamber President Rick Shaver in a news release.

"The owner in question has told us that the estimated revenue loss amounted to tens of thousands of dollars and this is a family owned business, not a large corporation."

Shaver said there are other examples where convenience stores have been targeted.

"It goes to underscore just how poorly these small entrepreneurs are treated by the health unit with approval from the government," he added.

The chamber voiced its most serious concern that minors are being directed by the health unit, with consent under the provincial government's smoke free legislation, to attempt to purchase tobacco products.

"The chamber absolutely supports the legislation that prevents the sale of tobacco to minors," continued Shaver. "By the same token, the Chamber wonders if these young people, counselled by the health unit with tacit approval from the government, are being put in the position of attempting to commit an illegal act. That is just not acceptable."

The chamber drew Brownell's attention to both the LCBO and Brewers Retail outlets and how they are penalized.

"These are large and highly profitable corporations but in their case, it's the employee that is held accountable, not the agency," said Shaver.

"The Chamber is at a loss to understand why similar guidelines are not being applied to the private sector and in particular, small businesses. These are people who live in the city, buy from local sources, and provide local employment."

Brownell has promised to bring the matter directly to the attention of the premier. The chamber is pleased with the MPP's response because it views the issue as a serious one and one that needs to be resolved in a manner that is reasonable and fair.