Cigarettes

Cigarettes have always been one of those goods that, although not being at all necessary, have a tremendous market. Today, we are aware of the health consequences, but during World War II, individuals simply knew they loved traveling to exotic locations.

Cigarettes were included in the rations for soldiers, and the tobacco industry was only too eager to supply them. American soldiers received free cigarettes for personal use. In fact, soldiers were urged to smoke, and they consumed 290 billion cigarettes. Additionally, they might purchase packs for 50 cents and resell them in Berlin's underworld for $100.

Closer to home, Canadians developed an underground market for cigarettes as a result of Americans crossing the border. The RCMP acted quickly to fine two industrious Edmontonians and make the Americans implicated in their possession of 4,200 American cigarettes, as they were far easier to obtain in the US than in Canada.