I would like to say that what I read in the media about the level of contraband does not fit with what I read from others. There are a number of indicators that show that the contraband problem is getting less and less.... Philip Morris International I don't think misleads its shareholders. It told its shareholders just last month that contraband in Canada was in the same range as in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, which is between 10% and 20%. The Convenience Store News magazine has boasted about an increase in legal sales. Health Canada's survey of smokers reports that fewer Canadians report going to first nations territories or buying smuggled cigarettes. All the indicators suggest that the contraband problem is getting under control.
On December 9th, 2010. See this statement in context.