Cigarettes remain on display in First Nations-owned stores

A tough tobacco control law that has been in place for several years has forced cigarette vendors across Saskatchewan to put their wares under cover.

It says stores must keep cigarettes out of view of minors, behind cupboards or curtains.

However, on Indian reserves, it looks like a different story.

CBC recently surveyed a number of different First Nations-run stores in south Saskatchewan and found that most don't observe theSaskatchewan Tobacco Control Act requirementthat cigarettes not be displayed openly.

And lack of enforcement may be a big part of the explanation.

In the past six months, Health Canada inspectorswho help enforce both federal and provincial tobacco laws have visited more than 2,400 shops selling tobacco across the province. However, only eight of those visits were on reserves.

A small number ofreserves have their own tobacco control bylaws, but most don't, and so under the rules are required to follow the provincial law.

Cigarettes on display

During a recent visit to Pasqua First Nation's band-owned store, cigarettes were openly displayed. It was the same thing at the Standing Buffalo First Nation store, right next to Echo Valley Provincial Park.

At Fort Qu'Appelle, where's there's an urban reserve, a band-owned cigarette store also had its smokes out in the open.

Smoke Shack employee Enock Poitras said he thinks he has seen inspectors come in before, although no one has told him to cover up his cigarettes.

"Somebody does come around once in a while," Poitras said. "They come and check and see if you have signs and stuff," he said.

There are more than 100 stores selling tobacco on reserves in Saskatchewan, and more than half are owned by band governments. Their cigarettes areinexpensive because for First Nations members, there's no provincial tax charged.

According to Health Canada, about 60 per cent of First Nations people smoke, compared to about 20 per cent in the general population.

Protecting young people a priority

Graham Addley, Saskatchewan's healthy living services minister, wants to reduce those rates, but said taking an educational approach to controlling tobacco use on reserves is a better way to go than the "confrontational or litigious approach.

"We have to keep focusing on what is the point of the legislation and the point is to protect young people," Addley said.

For its part, Health Canada says it is developing a First Nations retailers tool kit.

It hopes to educate retailers and encourage them to reduce smoking on reserves, by keeping tobacco products out of sight.