Ontarians caught transporting contraband tobacco for the purpose of selling it should lose their driver’s licences and vehicles, a Progressive Conservative MPP says.

MPP Todd Smith, who represents the riding of Prince Edward-Hastings, said the proceeds of vehicle sales should go back at least in part to the police service that made the bust.

“There are people selling (contraband cigarettes) just off school properties near the football field, in Belleville for instance, and in school grounds right across the province,” Smith said. “I hear stories of the white van that pulls up just down the block from the school and someone is standing there with the trunk up on their vehicle or the van doors open.”

Under his bill — Smoke-Free Schools Act — drivers convicted of moving illegal smokes would see their licence suspended and their vehicle seized as a proceed of crime.

While the Ontario government has taken some steps to halt the flow of contraband tobacco from native reserves, the focus has so far been on controlling the components such as the filter, he said.

Ontario Associate Health Minister Dipika Damerla said she’ll study the bill, but noted the government has already banned flavoured tobacco, smoking around playgrounds and school yards and cigarette sales on university campuses.

“As a government, we’re committed to reducing smoking, particularly youth smoking,” Damerla said.

Michael Perley, director of Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, said the government’s initiatives are having a positive impact but there remains a need to address the transportation angle.

Contraband tobacco is aimed at price-sensitive customers and that often means youth, Perley said.