The Pioneer · March 8, 2012 · Page B3InFocus

SmokersAccording to Heath Canada there where over 12 million smokers in Canada as of 2010, down just slightly from 1999’s total.

Provinces like Ontario have made a steady push to limit smoking by putting forward initiatives like “Smoke Free Ontario.” The provincial government has limited where cigarettes can be smoked and also how much they cost the consumer.

Despite the known health issues associated with smoking, many smokers just aren’t ready or willing to quit.

Long-time smoker Mary Morrison said that now that she is unable to work because of a wrist injury, smoking is all she has left. Scott Fulford said the price of cigarettes is too high. Fulford said it is difficult to afford to smoke but to0 hard to quit right now.

Many smokers get around the high prices by buying cigarettes on the reserve, where they are typically sold much cheaper. The Ontario government has also been fighting what it calls “illegal tobacco” which has not had Canadian duties paid. Ministry investi-gators and inspectors seized 172 million ille-gal cigarettes, one million untaxed cigars and 48 million grams of fine-cut tobacco between April 1, 2008 and September 30 of this year

Smokers from Quinte West and Belleville area starting from top left: Liam O’Neill, Scott Fulford,Amber-Dawn MacNeil, Phillip Andrews, Tim McGrath, Andre Rog-erson, John Zylstra, Violet Rogerson Brad-ley Boyle, Chad Kelly.

Photos and Story byKristen Haveman