Paying to sell tobacco products

The city of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, has decided to impose an annual fee on businesses that sell tobacco, according to a Canadian Press story.

Businesses will have to pay $750 a year for a license to sell tobacco products and another $350 if they sell flavored tobacco.

Donna Pasiechnik of the Canadian Cancer Society said the new licenses would help identify which businesses were selling tobacco.

Currently, pharmacies are not allowed to sell tobacco products but any other retailers may do so.

Pasiechnik believes the license fees might force some retailers to think twice about selling tobacco.