There is some contraband that exists. Compared to 2009, it has gone down. There are some contraband prevention measures available that we would support, such as better controls on the raw materials like filters and leaf tobacco, to have them being intercepted prior to getting to the unlicensed factories.
There was the end of the tobacco manufacturers' surtax, and our recommended preference would have been for that to stay, in addition to the higher tobacco taxes. We certainly support the higher tobacco taxes.
Of course, this is part of a bigger federal government strategy that we applaud. Health minister Jane Philpott is moving forward to have a strengthened federal tobacco control strategy. The current one expires in March 2018. Consultations have taken place for that to be enhanced.
A part of this strategy, which includes taxation, legislation, and programming, is plain packaging, as you know, of course, to remove the promotional aspects from the package as Australia, Britain, and Ireland have done. I have some examples with me of packages from Australia. This part of the strategy is complementary to the tobacco tax increase in this bill.
Let me close by reiterating our support for the tobacco tax increase.
Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.