The federal government has reportedly revealed three new initiatives in a bid to counter contraband tobacco, an emerging concern among Canada’s health advocates and convenience store owners, who posts that profits are falling due to illegal smokes.

The initiatives, being financially aided by a $20-million portion of the settlement aim to assist to impose restriction on cross-border smuggling and organized crime.

It includes the formation of an RCMP-led group called Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit Contraband Tobacco Team; a dog detector service from the Canada Border Service Agency in Montreal and Vancouver, and a multimedia advertising campaign initiative of the Canada Revenue Agency.

“Our government is taking further action to disrupt contraband tobacco, which undermines the safety and security of our communities,” Toews posted in a news release. “The importing, manufacturing and sale of illegal cigarettes has a significant impact on our economy, and fuels organized crime in our country.”

It is outlined that anti-social groups indulging in selling contraband tobacco, such as criminal gangs, specifically target underage youth who are lured by the cheap prices.

Health advocates, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, outlines that contraband hinders efforts to reduce smoking rates.