Iqaluit (Sep 18/06) - A war between industry giant Imperial Tobacco and wholesalers is forcing some Iqaluit smokers to switch brands.

Baffin Gas bar ran out of DuMaurier and Players last week, and so did DJ Specialities. However, Arctic Ventures reports that - while it took some fancy footwork - they were able to keep those brands on their shelves.

David Evaloakjuk is happy to have these smokes back in his hands at Baffin Gas in Iqaluit. The business was out of Imperial Tobacco products until late last week. Due to a conflict between industry giant Imperial Tobacco and wholesalers, front-line workers like Evaloakjuk caught the wrath of customers. - Kent Driscoll/NNSL photo

The problem hadn't yet reached smaller communities across Nunavut. Stores in Cambridge Bay, Kimmirut and Clyde River reported no shortages last week.

By late in the week, Baffin Gas bar finally received a new shipment.

It appeared that the Imperial cigarette pipeline hadn't completely run dry for DJ Specialities either.

"We are starting to get some back. They are finally filling orders, but we still can't get a full supply," manager Pauline Gagnon said.

Imperial - suppliers of DuMaurier and Player's brands - recently switched to a direct distribution system in large southern centres.

The concept is simple: instead of wholesalers selling cigarettes to retail stores in those cities, the manufacturing company does it. The process is similar to what cola and potato chip companies do.

Other cigarette wholesalers, including Northern suppliers, are refusing to carry Imperial products.

Imperial tobacco did not respond to Nunavut News/North's request for an interview.

John Bens, general manager of Arctic Ventures, has been phoning Imperial's Montreal-based office as well.

"I've tried them a number of times and they haven't returned our calls," said Bens.

As for the conflict between wholesalers and the tobacco company, Bens calls it a feud.

"When there is a feud, no one makes sense," said Bens.

Arctic Ventures still has cigarettes, but Bens wonders if a switch to direct distribution will have a major effect his store.

"Right now, we are OK. I have orders placed, and we are confident that we won't run out. If we go direct, I'm sure that they won't break up cases for us," said Bens.

Customers are not happy when they can't get their cigarette of choice. When asked about what customers at Baffin Gas were saying, manager Dallas Letemplier replied, "You know they are going to complain."

Imperial may learn the power of those consumer if the smoke shortage continues.

"I would switch to a different brand," said Oolamie Padluq, a Player's Light smoker.

Juelie Kuksiak, visiting Iqaluit from Qikiqtarjuaq, doesn't want to find a substitute.

"I wouldn't switch if I didn't have to, but if I did, I'd switch to Export A," said Kuksiak.

A lack of choice isn't the only thing getting under the skin of Iqaluit smokers, prices have gone up at the same time.

The price of 25 cigarettes at Arctic Ventures is $12.75. At DJ Specialities it is $11.50. Both stores passed on a September 1 price increase to consumers.

"The price has gone up because the manufacturer has put in a price increase," said Bens.

At DJ's, they held off on the price hike due to the shortage.

"There was no way we were going to hit them with no smokes and then higher prices," said Gagnon.