Eye on the tobacco industry (July-Sept. 2008)

On July 31st Canada’s two largest tobacco companies admitted their involvement in cigarette smuggling which occurred between 1989 and 1994.1 Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITC) was ordered to pay a criminal fine of $200 million, and Rothmans, Benson & Hedges (RBH) paid $100 million — which the RCMP said are the largest fines ever levied in Canada.